Please keep in mind that not all of these are official answers, and only some have citable sources. Know that we are only publishing information that we are reasonably sure of through community discussion, and will not post information that is defamatory in any way. When possible we will update questions with quotes and sources, but information from the board is light. We will clearly label things that we have no idea on.

I’m new here. What is Northland College and what is all the recent fuss about?

For a very brief summary of the situation, start here!

Why have a deadline of April 3rd? 

The funding deadline has to do with a federal program called TeachOut. While the mechanics are complicated, it essentially is a series of federal requirements so that students can have time and assistance transferring out of closing colleges. If the school decides to close, it needs to be by April 3rd in order to fulfill TeachOut’s timeline requirements.

How long did the board of trustees know that there was a problem with funding?

It is possible that the board knew there would be terminal challenges in funding as early as late December, but the Higher Learning Commission released a somewhat troubling report in 2022 detailing… “The Institution faces significant challenges to its resource base and its overall financial stability and future. The President and the Board are very aware of the issues, and, because of the President’s transparency, employees are also aware of the issue.” Seems like somewhere in the past year that last part statement became less… important.

Why did they wait so long to tell the community?

We do not know.

Where did the figure of 12 million dollars come from?

As we understand it, the school needs 2 million dollars in order to finish out the year, and 10 million to fund next year’s operation – though how they arrived at 10 million dollars to fund the ‘New Northland’ has not been released.

Have there been any updates on what a ‘New Northland’ might mean?

There have been no formal updates from the Administration or Board of Trustees about what a New Northland means from them – however, the community (faculty, students, staff, locals) have been very hard at work envisioning possible futures – you can find notes from those sessions here.

If Northland does close, is there still a path forward in some way?

The most difficult portion of Northland closing would be the loss of accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Without accreditation, the school would not be able to award degrees. Faculty can still teach, classes can happen, but there would be no degree at the end. However, a new school could reapply for and receive accreditation. This is something that the faculty work group will look into.

Is there a way to look at the finances of Northland College?

Yes. You can view it on Propublica’s website, here.

If I donate to Northland’s fund and the effort fails, can my donation be refunded?

Yes – but you must submit a statement asking for your refund within 30 days of the college’s announcement of closing.

When the refund says:”reducing the refunded amount by charges we incurred in collecting the original donation”, what does that mean?

We cannot speak for the official account – but generally this is language meant to talk about the credit card processing fees incurred in online donations. If you are sending a large amount to the college, we highly recommend sending it in a check, as credit card fees often average 3% that the college does not get either.

Why start an alternative donation system?

Most importantly, we encourage you to donate to whichever fund you wish. We have heard from many community members and alumni who say that they do not trust the Board of Trustees and administration, and would like to see an organization that they can have a voice in control the funding. We aim to provide transparency about the state of our fundraising, with updates and news. We want to make sure that funds are not used to close Northland College. Finally, we want to ensure that the Board of Trustees must listen to community voices in order to survive. We are worried that without a significant reason (i.e. money), the Board will continue to run roughshod over students, staff, and faculty. 

If I donate to Northland Forever, can my donation be refunded?

Yes.

Why use violent metaphors like “Raise your axe” in your messaging?

The axe has long been a symbol of Northland College. The College was originally founded during the lumbering era – you could see from Wheeler all the way to the lake, over acres and acres of former forest. In modern times, it’s become much more nuanced – not just the ‘mascot’ of our athletic teams but a symbol of the ‘hands-on’ environmental stewardship of the college. When we raise our axes, we do not pick them up as weapons, but as tools – tools to help clear our path forward and find our higher way.

More questions? Call our hotline at 320-977-1028 or send us an email at contact@northland-forever.com.