Philly Phiasco?

A year in Philadelphia equates to a lifetime not in Grantham. Not exactly sure what I mean to convey here, except that Philly Campus is an entirely unique and invigorating experience compared to Messiah main.

I am an MCPC-er at heart. I not only value my time in Temple University's classrooms-- both in the city, and even in my Frat-music-infused dorm room--but I value the physical space labeled "MCPC" (Messiah College Philadelphia Campus).

Debbie Peterson, MCPC's Contextual Learning Coordinator, recalls the sentimental attachment alumni feel toward the space. In fall 2008, alumni from all years visited MCPC to celebrate the campus's 40th birthday. As many reunited with their long lost, 19th century row house dorms, Peterson says just seeing the same carpet (yes, that carpet is, shall we say, antique) made many giddy and warm.

Now that Messiah College has decided to sell the MCPC property to Temple University, rent a portion back, and cap enrollment at 40, students--current, past, and very past--are feeling a loss. Anxieties flew when Kim Phipps sent word of the budget cuts taking shape. Status updates such as "Messiah College Philadelphia Campus is going to die. Major fail, Messiah. FAIL." and "losers. At least I got to go before they killed it." doused our Facebook news feeds. A disapproving mushroom cloud, both here and at MCPC, swelled.

I hopped on to the disapproving cloud train, because my gut reaction to "budget cuts" is usually antagonism--resentment toward big politics, even/especially at lil' Messiah College. But the more I understand the big picture, the less hostility I feel toward the changes.

Provost Randy Basinger says his main goal in altering the program was to "reaffirm [its] purpose and value...to achieve good ends with more economically sustainable means."

He explains that MCPC's role 10 or 15 years ago was much different than its role today: more and more students attend MCPC for enrichment than for their major or minor requirements. Moreover, MCPC was one of the first and few options to study off-campus. Today, the Philly campus is "one among 40 some sites."

These realities are realities, not opinions meant to devalue the campus. The budget cuts will undoubtedly affect personnel, but the programming, community focus, and mission will remain intact. My deepest sympathies go out to the wonderful team members losing their jobs and to the students that feel a deep connection to the physical space. But my joys go out to the students who will experience MCPC just like I did, in close community with committed program leaders (during both of my semesters, enrollment was below 40). Likewise, my joys go out to the administration that could have cut the program completely, but instead found a way to keep it alive.

"There will always be some unforeseen consequences," says Basinger. "We don't know the psychological demand [for MCPC in the future]." Yet, Basinger is hopeful about the changes and their potential to actually stabilize the program. Rather than irregular participation numbers and exorbitant costs for archaic building upkeep, the changes may be just what Philly campus needs to flourish.

While my sentimental attachment to 70's carpet is not as strong as others', I am deeply attached to the shared values it represents. What makes MCPC so meaningful are the urban novelties, the big university experience, the new friends, the caring staff, and the education you glean from contextual learning. So if these components are not changing, may our angry status updates dispel and our fourth-grade "loser, loser, double loser" mantras subside.

With that said, however, may our zealous and critical eyes ne'er go lazy. Keeping Messiah College on its toes is not bad practice.


Check out Messiah College Philadelphia Campus' Facebook Page for additional information and responses to the changes.