Campus briefs
Engh: Campus groups helping to ease university's financial woes
Michael Engh, S.J., had the bad luck of starting his presidential term at Santa Clara in the midst of budget cuts and tough economic times.
After the university's endowment suffered losses and it became apparent that tuition cannot be increased at the same rate as past years, the university community was informed that budget cuts would be announced in the coming months.
However, he said support has come from different groups within the university.
"While I'm learning the steep curve, there's also this whole dynamic that I'm witnessing of people rallying," Engh said.
He said the economic downturn has brought people together.
"There's much concern that we do the best we can to help students with financial needs, that Santa Clara remains fiscally strong," said Engh. "I've seen trustees, staff and administrators get involved."
According to Engh, the university has received pledges for help with emergency financial aid.
'»¿"An anonymous trustee gave $100,000 to help with emergency financial aid, and when I called to thank this anonymous trustee, that anonymous trustee gave me a pledge for another $100,000 for emergency financial aid," said Engh. "That's very significant, stepping forward in assistance for Santa Clara."
The staff also volunteered to cancel their annual dinner, said Engh. The money saved is supposed to go to student emergency financial aid.
"The staff did that on their own," he said.
Engh said he received responses from faculty and staff on ways Santa Clara could save money.
"In my letter to the campus, I asked people to think of ways we could economize and save money, and people have been e-mailing me with their responses," said Engh. "There's a whole range of them, so I have to review them with my staff."
Over lunch at Market Square, Engh also talked to students about ways to economize.
Professors and students to put on dance performance this weekend
Original jazz, modern and classical ballet will all be performed in the biggest on-campus dance production of the year this weekend.
The theatre and dance department and Center of Performing Arts' production of Images is an annual performance that allows students to demonstrate their abilities in dance and choreography.
The performance will "explore all facets of the human experience" through different choreography, according to the event's Web site.
Santa Clara faculty members Karyn Connell, Kristin Kusanovich, David Popalisky and Pauline Locsin-Kanter, as well as some students are among the choreographers. A special guest, Micha Scott, a former dancer with the Garth Fagan Dance Company, will also have her work featured.
Directed by Pauline Locsin-Kanter, the show will be in Mayer Theatre Feb. 5-7, at 8 p.m. It will show Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $5-16.
From staff reports. E-mail news@thesantaclara.com.