Elon University - NewCentury@Elon

Board of Visitors
Discussion Summary – Nov. 11, 2005 – Charleston, S.C.
"On Arriving, Deepening and Sustaining: Key Questions about Elon University's Future"

Board of Visitors Question #1 – All groups – "If you visit Elon in 2020, what values and attributes of today's Elon would you want to have been preserved?

Every group mentioned the physical beauty of the campus and the strong sense of community as values to be preserved. An important attribute to each group was the continued enhancement of student engagement on campus, in the local community and globally. Additionally, Elon’s low student-faculty ratio should be preserved; all groups saw this as essential for the university to maintain a high level of engagement between students and faculty. Other attributes mentioned included:

Maintain teaching environment
Cutting-edge technology
Continued emphasis on study abroad
Spirit of service
Preserve brick walls surrounding campus
Strong cultural programs
Emphasis on leadership

Question #2 – All groups – "If you visit Elon in 2020, what would you hope to find that is not at Elon today?

A common theme among all four groups was the expansion of an international influence at Elon. Each group had different ideas about how this might occur, including expansion of study abroad programs “as the globe gets smaller,” increasing the number and diversity of international students enrolled at the university, developing relationships with international companies and developing centers of study in Asia, where students could become engaged with local communities. Board of Visitors members also want to see an athletics program that is fully competitive in the Southern Conference and increased participation/membership in the Elon Athletics Foundation. Enhanced endowment, improved career services, strong science programs, an art museum, an Elderhostel, non-credit classes for senior citizens and a firmly established School of Law were also mentioned.

What are the most compelling messages we can bring before donors as we strive to build Elon's endowment? How can we develop a culture of philanthropy?

Building Elon’s endowment requires connecting the university with businesses and select individuals capable of making large contributions, this group said. Elon must work to get its alumni into the habit of giving early, perhaps even when they are still enrolled as students. The university must send the message to potential donors that increasing Elon’s endowment ensures its place on various “best-buy” lists, and will also help lower the annual percentage of tuition increases, making an Elon education affordable for more students. Admitting students whose families are capable of giving was also seen as a way to increase the endowment, although the group agreed this was a sensitive area. Another group, while not specifically answering this question, mentioned that Elon’s beautiful campus and facilities lead many potential donors to believe the university “has plenty of money” already, and that this could be an obstacle in growing the endowment.

On the budget valves: How concerned should we be about enrollment growth? How much elasticity is there in our cost? How do we find the right price point?

Board of Visitors This group said it is important to keep enrollment at a level at which Elon’s sense of community can be preserved. If not done already, this group suggested the university put its business model for growth in writing. Overall, the group said Elon should stay the course where cost increases are concerned—the university is doing a great job.

What facility needs do you foresee? How would you advise the Board of Trustees and the president about balancing facilities needs and endowment needs as we build the case for the next campaign?

This group suggested Elon’s leaders should err on the side of endowment in mapping out the university’s financial future, but continue facilities enhancements. Targeted marketing (targeting donors capable of making significant contributions) was also suggested for growing the endowment.

In the grand scheme of things, have we arrived at where we want to be? If not, what should our future aspirations be?

This group decided that Elon has not arrived, but is on a journey. Elon’s future aspirations should be centered around expanding international engagement and leadership training, as well as enhancing Elon’s attractiveness to students who are already highly engaged, both in their studies and in volunteer and community service. The group described the Elon of the future as “a visionary, mid-sized, model, liberal arts, comprehensive university.”