Dean’s Corner
During the Dean’s corner, Dean of Students Sheilah Shaw Horton announced the second COVID-19 booster clinic, which was held on Nov. 11 in Tishman Commons. Many changes were made to ensure the success of this second attempt at providing the new booster for students on campus. Additionally, Horton announced the start of “First-Gen Week” at the College, in which campus-wide celebrations and activities will be held throughout the week to celebrate students who are the first in their families to attend college. Lastly, Horton addressed the issue of the several alcohol-related medical emergencies that occurred over Halloween weekend. She implored students to practice responsible drinking and announced that she is collaborating with the Office of Health and Wellness to promote safer drinking among students.
Endowment Presentation
Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer, Piper Orton, gave a presentation on the College’s Endowment and its implications for current and future plans. Orton first detailed the cost of a Wellesley College education on an individual student basis, noting that the cost per student in 2022 was approximately $104,000, with the net cost after financial aid being roughly $43,000. She explained that each year, the College has to “find a gap” between the $104,000 cost and $43,000 net cost, and that it primarily comes from the endowment budget; the revenue acquired from both the endowment and tuition comprise the majority of the College’s income. Orton then provided a breakdown of the unique factors that financially impact Wellesley College differently as compared to peer institutions.