The TheSpringHillian SpringHillian Volume Volume 106,106, Issue Issue 4 5
Thursday, Thursday, March April22, 19,2018 2018
Ad Majorem Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Dei Gloriam
New VP of Student Affairs to Arrive in the Fall Emily Creasey | Reporter Students, faculty, and staff at Spring Hill College can expect to see new faces when they return to campus in the fall. Along with freshmen and transfer students, SHC will be welcoming new staff at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. SHC President Christopher Puto sent an email in February announcing staffing changes. In the email, Puto introduced Kevin Abel as the new vice president for Student Affairs. Puto spoke highly of Abel, describing him as having a “strong record of accomplishment.” Abel, an Ohio native, is excited to make the move from West Palm Beach to Mobile.
Abel shared that he started at Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2005, and was appointed his current positions in 2011: dean of students and chief student affairs officer. Abel shared, “I have loved being part of the small college environment and getting to know the students. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to Spring Hill.” Abel was also drawn to SHC’s focus on “cura personalis.” This Latin phrase translates to “care for the entire person,” and Abel described it as an “incredible match” to his personal philosophy and approach to higher education. Abel said his passion for higher
education and college student affairs stemmed from his own undergraduate experience: “The student affairs staff saw leadership potential in me and cared enough to push me to realize that potential.” With an optimistic attitude, Abel is looking forward to what lies ahead in the coming years. As vice president for Student Affairs, Abel is dedicated to supporting student success, growth and development. He encourages members of the college community to introduce themselves when they see him around campus in the future: “You will find me in every corner of campus, soaking up the Spring Hill ex-
SHC’s new vice president of Student Affairs. | Photo: Emily Creasey perience through student programs, academic presentations, supporting Badger athletics and having a cup of coffee with Spring Hill community members at Einstein [Bros. Bagels].”
SHC’s SACS Accreditation Reaffirmed Through 2026 Kristen Dunham | Reporter Recent budget cuts for Spring Hill College have left the school in good financial standing for the next few years, SHC President Christopher Puto said. Budget adjustments were a part of SHC’s accreditation review from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). According to Puto, the budget was revised in November 2017 to show that the college’s expenses would be reduced. According to Puto, “Everything we’re doing is intended to minimize the impact on the students’ experience at SHC. Our goal is to have every student feel that this is the best possible education experience you could get anywhere.” SHC had been under financial probation for two years up until December 2017, when the
SACSCOC board lifted the probation. Now that the college is no longer on financial probation, SHC’s SACS accreditation is reaffirmed through 2026. “I’m not sure that students realized how big of a positive outcome that is,” said Puto, “but it was big.” A SACS accreditation affects financial aid and the value of the degrees received from SHC. Accreditation certifies that the education offered at SHC matches the highest quality of education offered by other schools. For financial aid, a student who needs a government loan must be attending an accredited college. Puto explained that the college has initiated a new budget planning process to ensure a steady budget in the future. This process will be a zero-based budgeting process, which means that
academic departments and operating units will set goals for the year and determine how much it will cost to accomplish those goals. The revenue the college receives is determined by multiplying the number of students by the average cost of tuition. The college matches the revenue coming in versus the expenses going out. If the numbers don’t match, the college will either determine whether something can be done to increase revenue or find areas where expenses can be reduced. This new budget process will begin in July. Puto said that even though there was some anxiety before, students no longer have to worry since the probation has been removed. He believes that in 2026, when it’s time for another accreditation review, SHC will be prepared to show SACSCOC its progress.
SHC’s Panhellenic hosted an event to raise money for Circle of Sisterhood. Students and faculty paid to smother their favorite professors’ faces (from left to right: Chelsea Greer, Jonathan Dunbar and Stuart Babington) with whip cream. | Pictures: Emily Creasey