In my part of Capitol Hill, Seattle University is known for one thing: babysitters. Parents think of the school as a neverending source of sober and responsible young women. Yay for the jesuits.
But SU is starting to beat its chest about a new reputation. Two announcements today:
- Seattle University is returning to Division 1 status in college basketball. Unfortunately, games will be at Seattle Center, not Miller Community Center. Here’s more from the AP.
- The SU also has a study out touting its importance to the community and region:
The 117-year-old institution today has its highest enrollment ever, with 7,560 students, and a budget of $173 million.
Based on Seattle U’s 2007-2008 budget of $158 million, the report found:
–University and student spending has an impact of roughly $580 million on the regional economy as it is spent and respent.
–Capital investments alone add up to roughly $170 million over the past dozen years, with another $100 million in coming years.
–Three out of every four students serve the community through volunteer activities, internships and professional development.
–Student volunteer efforts are the equivalent of more than 80 people working fulltime, with an estimated value of nearly $7 million a year in services.
Not one mention of babysitting in the entire report. Volunteer efforts? Those responsible young women do not work for free.
includes president Sundborg’s guest column in the Seattle Times, and–on a slightly less positive (if more funny) note–today’s Art Thiel column in the P-I.
Oh, and no mention of babysitters there either.
(Also, full disclosure: I do work at SU; but, alas, no free basketball tickets . . .)
That’s not the reputation the young women on 5th floor of Bellarmine Hall had when I went there…
Central District News ponders possibility that SU will eventually build a new arena in the area
http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2008/10/21/seattle-u-now-division-i-new-arena-in-our-future
In other news, for a small fee, CHS will relinquish any and all coverage rights to SU. CDN, call me.
In my part of Capitol Hill, Seattle University is a complete mystery. How the hell do they have so much money?!?? And how is babysitting going to help pay $35k a year for tuition and a dorm room?!?
Rich daddies, of course, jrrrl. Oh, and loans. Big ol loans.
seattle u has a lot of money because they are good at fund raising and have a lot of their worth backed by real estate. SU is one of the largest property holders in that area of seattle.
the tuition at su is high, but that is what it is like for all private schools. what people don’t commonly understand is that with private schools, financial aid and grants plays a huge role. nobody pays full price. everyone gets grants and financial aid, so the true cost is much lower.
that said, it is still more expensive than public schools, and i’ve got loans to prove it.
but then again, i had personal relationships with professors, benefited from the jesuit educational ethos, and there wasn’t a single frat or sorority to dilute classroom discussion. so in my opinion, money well spent. state schools for undergrad are cattle pens.
And su alum can write a clear, concise comment. Powerfulest proof possible.