Keene State College Interim President Melinda Treadwell will host a live video conference for admitted students and their parents next week. This comes as Keene State looks to improve its enrollment numbers while navigating significant budget cuts.
Treadwell says the live chat she's planned will be a first for prospective families. “I'd rather be very direct with parents about where we are and the bright future than to wait for folks to fill in the blanks,” she said, pointing to recent news headlines.
Keene State has been struggling with declining enrollment, translating to less income coming in through tuition payments. Last month, Treadwell announced an academic restructuring to help save costs as well as voluntary buyouts for faculty and staff. Eligible employees have until mid January to apply for buyouts. After that, the school may look to layoffs to bring spending in check.
Meanwhile, the college has reached its first contract agreement with three staff unions on campus. Treadwell said she hopes to have that agreement signed before the end of the year.
The college has also announced new and upgraded program offerings for the academic year beginning next fall. That includes a first-of-its-kind program in construction safety sciences — developed in coordination with local employers — as well as new specializations within the computer sciences.
