Luther College begins forums Wednesday and Thursday on proposals to cut $3 million in operating costs at the school

On Wednesday and Thursday Luther College President Rick Torgerson will host two open forums for Luther faculty and staff to discuss the recommendations of a task force appointed to study ways to cut $3 million in operating expenses from the college's budget by the 2015 school year.

The open forums will be held for Luther employees in the CFL Recital Hall from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Wednesday and again from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

"Task Group 150" has prepared a draft report with its recommendations for ways to reduce spending.  The group has nine members--Victoria Christman, Jon Christy, Brad Miller, Nick Preus, Kelly Wedmann, Greg Peterson, Arleen Orvis and David Vasquez.

Luther College sources tell decorahnews.com the $3 million in budget cuts are not because Luther College is in financial trouble right now, but because it wants to position itself to continue to thrive in the years ahead.
 
The college does face future demographic and economic challenges.  81 percent of this year's Luther College students graduated from high schools in Minnesota, Iowa or Wisconsin.  High school graduation rates in the three states are expected to decline gradually over the next 3-4 years, meaning Luther will be competing for students from a smaller overall pool.

Likewise, the comprehensive fee for 2011-2012 at Luther College is over $40,000.  College officials defend that fee as being in line with the fees charged by other small liberal arts colleges, but they also that there might be a cost structure tipping point beyond which families will seek out other colleges for their children.

Task Group 150 has developed a total of 45 recommendations on ways to address these concerns.  The recommendations include phasing out academic majors that do not meet benchmarks for number of graduates and credit hours taken.

This week's forums are being schedule to give Luther staff a chance to discuss any of the 45 recommendations. The goal is to give a final report to the Luther Board of Regents when it meets on campus in October.