Some Facts & Frequently Asked Questions about Colgate University
- The cost to attend in 2010-2011 is about $54,030, depending on housing and meal plan. Colgate is among the most expensive universities in the nation for an undergraduate degree.
- From 2003 to 2010, students receiving financial aid dropped from 43% to 37%; 63% of students pay full fare
- In 71 Board of Trustees meetings from 1996 through January 2010, there is only one recorded vote cast in opposition.
- The Case Library cost $60 million and was nearly 50% over budget and two years behind schedule.
- The ratio of students to staff and faculty is 3:1.
- From 2003 to 2010, alumni donor participation has fallen 17-22%.
- 33% is the average percentage of trustees elected by alumni at the best universities in the country – Harvard, Cornell, Amherst, Dartmouth, Yale
- For 2010-11, US News & World Report has ranked Colgate University at a new low of 21, down from a high of 15 in 2006.
- Colgate earned an F from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni in its report card of the country’s top 100 universities. Of the seven areas identified as integral to a robust core curriculum, Colgate requires only a foreign language credit. Compare schools and learn more at whatwilltheylearn.com.
Q: How many Trustees are there at Colgate?
A: The Charter allows 35.
Q: How many are chosen by alumni in an open election?
A: Zero.
Q: What is the process for selecting trustees?
A: The Nominating Committee of the Board of Trustees is comprised of five trustees, plus one student and one faculty member, who is elected by his or her teaching peers. A quorum of the seven is four people. The Nominating Committee accepts names from all other trustees, alumni, faculty and students, then in secret meetings determines who will be placed on a slate that is presented to the full Board of Trustees for a motion to approve, second and vote. The slate is always accepted.
Q: What is A Better Colgate proposing?
A: Direct elections by alumni of a meaningful number of trustees. At other prestigious universities where alumni elect some of the trustees, the number ranges from 27% to 100% of the Board. The average is 33%.
Q: What difference would it make to have alumni elect a meaningful number of trustees?
A: We believe it would create better accountability, better transparency and better alumni participation. Please read The Case for Reforming Governance at Colgate University for more detail.
Q: What can alumni do to reform governance at Colgate University?
A: Sign the petition. Ask your Colgate friends to sign. If you know a trustee or a member of the Alumni Council, encourage them to accept our offer of a joint Trustee Election Work Group to talk about the protocols for how such elections could be held. Make a contribution so we can continue to inform alumni and press for reform that gives you a voice in Colgate’s future.