SWBTS in Financial Trouble?

Students at SWBTS that have not completly paid thier tuition for this semester have received notices that there is currently $250,000 in unpaid tuition - and that if they dont pay soon five profs will be terminated. I guess Pattersons new $3,000 BBQ pit, $100,000 remodel to the president's house for his library, and the new flat screen tvs to watch chapel - as well as the card readers to make sure students are attending chapel, are more important than the faculty.

 

The following is from the theodrama website, a current student of SWBTS

you can check out his blog at http://wwwtheodrama.blogspot.com

, September 15, 2004
XX SWBTS Giving Students The Business XX
Today the offices of Southwestern seminary were buzzing over letters sent this week to students with unpaid tuition and fees that suggested that if $250,000 in funds were not received that it was probable that five seminary professors would lose their jobs.

Sources in the business offices acknowledged that the letters had created much discussion amongst the staff and that many students had expressed concerns about the safety of their professor’s employment.

This news comes less five months after the seminary trustees approved a budget of $31.5 million, a 2.58 percent increase over the previous year's budget, elected eight faculty members to the theology and educational ministries schools, and elected two new deans. Within the past 15 months, SWBTS has remodeled the presidential house, built a new presidential library estimated at $100,000, and constructed a $3,000 presidential BBQ pit.

This news also follows both a seminary housing rent and tuition increase.

Also, returning students may notice the addition of new multiple flat-screen TVs across campus for watching chapel. They may also notice the new card sliding machines that ensure that students taking Spiritual Formations attend chapel services.

Those close to the Business Administration affirmed the possibility of an era in judgment concerning the wording of the letters. They also stated that the intent of the letters was to remind students that the Seminary suffers corporately when people do not pay their fees.

[Editorial Note: The body wouldn’t suffer; just a few members.]

Theodrama has obtained a photocopy of one of the letters sent to a seminary student. After being allowed to check the original letter and verifying the authenticity of the letter with the Business Administration we can now reproduce the letter in full.

[Now if we can do it, CBS, so can you.]


SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Business Office

September 9, 2004

Dear XXXXX

We have 1/4 of a million dollars in unpaid student tuition and fees. If we do not receive those funds, it is highly probable that we will have to release five professors from the Seminary faculty.

This is not a threat to you, but a sincere reminder that the Seminary suffers corporately when people do not pay what they owe. Further, it is a matter of ethical and moral significance that students either pay their bills or in the inevitability that it is impossible that they come by the Business Office to explain their situation and to make proper arrangements.

If you believe an error has been made, please contact XXXXX at (555) 555-5555, ext. 5555. Thank you for helping clear up the status of your account.

Blessings,

XXXXX

 

At least Hemphill is off the budget this year. Last year the seminary had to pay his salary while he did the Kingdom thing. One of the real problems is that they now have so many deans - who teach reduced course loads, not to mention the seminary paid "company"cars provided for the VPS and Paiges driver.

The amount of fat they have in the administration is unbelievable

 

ROFLOL

 

I heard and interesting story on one student who received one of the letters, turned out he had received some grant or aid money that had been received by the seminary but not applied to his account. He was most upset that 1- he got the letter and 2- the overall accusatory tone of the letter.

Patterson brought his own driver from SEBTS.

 

what is your blog site? Are you familiar with Nick who has the Theodrama blog?

 

I just read through some of your blog - you have some good stuff. Are you in the school of theology or education? I noticed that you are planning to go into education/administration after graduation.

Nic seems like an interesting character, but perhaps a bit on the political moderate side of the SBC from what I have read. Not much of a Patterson fan is he.