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Dear [Name of University Here] Community,

With a month's experience as president, I continue to be impressed with the caliber of young women and men who call our campus home. While every tough transition has its issues, we at [Name of University] are enthusiastic about the student body, the vibrancy of the campus, and the large increase in interest from prospective students.

There are detractors, however, and I want to update you on issues you may be reading or hearing about, especially with respect to [Name of University]'s accreditation status, artwork, and ongoing litigation.

WHAT? That doesn't sound good. How is he going to spin this?

[Name of University] is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. SACS placed [Name of University] on warning last December for failing to comply completely with a core requirement related to financial stability. The warning is not directed in any way toward our academic program. In fact, SACS affirmed [Name of University]'s offering degrees at the master's level at the same time it issued the warning.

The SACS warning pertains principally to [Name of University]'s high tuition discount rate and operating deficit. SACS' findings were consistent with those of the Board of Trustees whose analysis of enrollment trends and likely long-term financial challenges contributed to [Name of University]'s decision to [insert drastic change that ^%&ed everyone off] and implement a new strategic plan.

[Name of University] has taken the SACS warning seriously and instituted a number of measures, including reducing staff and cutting expenses. [Name of University] has budgeted a more moderate endowment spending rate for 2007-08 and achieved a lower tuition discount with the current first year class. These are strong, positive steps.

Neither [Name of University]'s operating deficit nor the SACS financial warning is an immediate threat to our existence as an accredited university. [Name of University] has an endowment of $153 million, which is large for a university of its size, but it needs an additional capital infusion to lower the endowment spending rate until [Name of University] can increase its enrollment and lower its tuition discount. The Board's difficult decision to share or sell selected pieces of [Name of University]'s artwork, a decision which has stimulated a spate of media attention, was taken to accomplish this goal.

In other news, we learned this week that the [insert State where University is located] Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of two lawsuits filed against
[Name of University] and dismissed in the lower court. This is one more step in a litigation process that has been ongoing for almost a year. We will abide by the court processes, and we are confident that the decision will be in our favor.

The litigation to which he refers was brought by alumni who were less than pleased with the school's drastic decision I mentioned above. I'm not part of that lawsuit because I can spot a losing horse a mile away, and I really don't care that much.

Meanwhile, this does not alter [Name of University]'s [current] status. We have bright, energetic students, and we have experienced a surge in interest and inquiries from prospective students. [I bet. - ed.] In fact, our domestic inquiries to date have already outpaced what we typically received during a total year [before drastic decision which [^%$%ed everyone off].

We are committed to ensuring the success of [New Name of University which alumni hate], and we will continue to take the positive steps necessary for the future of [Name of University] and its students.

Sincerely,



[Lousy President of University]

My university is very small. It would seem like $153 million alone would suffice even if each of the students pays $1 tuition. While I haven't paid much attention, I believe lawsuit was brought by alumni to get their alumni contributions back and reverse the decision that was made by the board of trustees.