NDSU Master Plan

[Gully]

Anyone read the master plan article in today's Forum? Sounds like 16,000 is in the near future. There was also an article about NDSUs debt, anyone concerned about the level of debt and that it's growing? I know things are great now but what if we cannot sustain the enrollment growth?

[TBison]

Chapman is a smart guy and hasn't done us wrong yet. I don't think there is too much to be worried about.

[Hammersmith]

There would have to be a major downturn in enrollment before there would be a problem. A leveling off of growth wouldn't hurt anything. Over half the debt comes from student-service buildings that can be paid off as long as enrollment doesn't drop to pre-Chapman levels. Unless Moody's drops our bond rating, I'm not worried. I thought the article title was badly worded, though. Red should be used for things like a budget deficit, not debt, when referring to a large business or organization like NDSU. Any businessman will tell you that an appropriate amount of debt is healthy.

The articles:
NDSU $117.8M IN THE RED (http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=222169&section=news)
NDSU master plan outlines direction for growth (http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=222170&section=news)

[Gully]

There would have to be a major downturn in enrollment before there would be a problem. A leveling off of growth wouldn't hurt anything. Over half the debt comes from student-service buildings that can be paid off as long as enrollment doesn't drop to pre-Chapman levels. Unless Moody's drops our bond rating, I'm not worried. I thought the article title was badly worded, though. Red should be used for things like a budget deficit, not debt, when referring to a large business or organization like NDSU. Any businessman will tell you that an appropriate amount of debt is healthy.

The articles:
NDSU $117.8M IN THE RED (http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=222169&section=news)
NDSU master plan outlines direction for growth (http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=222170&section=news)

Like all of the "businessmen" on Wall Street? :D :D

I actually agree with you in this case, I'm just a little wary of debt given everything that's transpired.

[G-city Bison Fan]

Yeah I was a little disappointed by the way the article was written, seems like a bit of looking to make a story.

No way would NDSU have been able to grow at the rate we are without incurring debt, however, as stated before its a completely rational and well thought out debt. Obviously if our student population starts declining, problems may occur, but as long as we hold steady and continue to grow steadily those buildings and debt will be paid off in due time.

It's like buying a house or a car, sure it would be nice to pay for a house straight up, but it's pretty tough so some amount of reasonable debt happens.

[BisBison]

I thought the article was well written in relation to the headline, which made it sound like our budget was in the hole.