The Pioneer Frontier Magazine

Decision made to cut-back on trips due to recession, budget crunches

Compiled by Marcus Taylor and Josh Kibert

Written by Katie Pittser

Over the years, students have taken full advantage of the academic field trips worked into Tusculum’s curriculum. Due to the economy and budget crunches, Tusculum faced a tough decision when it cut down on extra-curricular trips.

“Trips that support the academic mission of Tusculum College have not been cancelled,” said Dr. Kim Estep, Tusculum’s Provost. “Virtually like every institution in the United States, Tusculum has felt the impact of the financial recession and is making adjustments in the budget to assure financial stability, despite the uncertain regional and national economy. The one thing that we have not compromised on is academics.”

According to Dr. Estep, the college will continue to prioritize academic expenditures and fund as many field experiences as possible that relate to the academic mission and integrity of Tusculum.

In agreement with Dr. Estep many academic trips have not been canceled but rather altered. According to the Center for Global Studies, the Service Learning Program in Belize, which is a four credit hour class has been re-routed to New Orleans.

“It certainly changes the landscape of the class from global issues to more regional ones,” said Robin Fife, who will be leading the trip.  “I’m hoping to return to Belize in the future when funding is available but New Orleans will offer a new set of challenges for students.”

The program is made available to help alleviate conditions of poverty and promote peace and prosperity through economic development, partnerships, and services. In the past the class of five to ten students travels Belize for eight to ten days. The previous cost for students was part of the regular fees and tuition paid to Tusculum because it is an academic class. Students were required to have a current U.S. passport, proper immunizations, and were responsible for the cost of airfare.

TC Students help locals clean up on a hot day in Belize.

Another “study abroad” academic trip, like the Belize program, is the Science Program in Costa Rica. The purpose of this trip, which is mainly for students in Field Biology I and II classes, is to acquaint students in the sciences with diverse tropical ecosystems, identify prevalent flora and fauna, and to experience Latin-American culture. Accommodations were located in bio-diverse parts of the country as the students stay at field stations. The destination has also been altered however and Florida will now replace Costa Rica. As budgets are tightened, students opportunities to travel abroad through TC are severely limited.

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“The college has been able to continue to support virtually all of the academic student trips that were planned this year,” said Dr. Estep. “In a few cases, the venues of international trips have changed. The scheduled trip to Costa Rica has been changed to travel to Florida, and the trip to Belize will be traveling to New Orleans. Each year, faculty request different trips. Every effort is made to fund as many trips as possible but is dictated by the academic objectives (student learning outcomes) of the program and available funds.”

Dr. Shelia Morton’s trip overseas is one of the only survivors. She is finalizing the itinerary of her scheduled academic trip to London and the surrounding areas such as the Lake District. This trip is set to leave March 23, as students would save roughly $70 each by leaving on Tuesday and returning the following Tuesday. While exploring the Lake District and London, students will travel through time as they study the British authors Wordsworth, Southey, Coleridge, Scott, Blake, and Keats. They will visit many of the famous places where the creativity of these selected authors flowed.

Dr. Estep made it clear that “most trips were not cancelled”.

“Changes in destination were made in response to a request to be more fiscally conscious and good stewards of the resources of the college in an effort to maintain academic integrity at all costs and to preserve the jobs of Tusculum College faculty and staff,” said Dr. Estep.

“Students are encouraged to continue to take advantage of as many academic field experiences as possible,” said Dr. Estep. “There are opportunities that are generally not available at larger institutions to undergraduate students. Like our small classes and focused calendar, the academic travel opportunities add value to each student’s learning in ways that will benefit students for years to come.”

In the end, student trips are an integral part of individual academic advancement. As college budgets shrink, travel becomes limited and more creative fund-raising as well as planning are required. While many international trips have been eliminated, the opportunity for domestic field experience remains, an fact many TC students are taking advantage of.