Petition to Prevent Funding Cuts for WNC College Campus Ministries

We the undersigned, wish for the Council on Finance and Administration to strongly reconsider their proposal to cut funding to the campus ministries of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In 2004 the Wesley Foundation at Appalachian State University received $97,467 in total support from the State Commission to fund the ministry program, facility maintenance, and a full time campus minister position. This year the ministry received $77,051. In 2007 they are proposed to be allotted $62,640 of which only $33,000 of that amount is guaranteed funds. These budget cuts have led to nearly $35,000 in losses within a 2-year time span.

As former alumni and students, we are concerned that such drastic budget cuts to the campus ministries of Appalachian State University, as well as to the colleges of UNCA Asheville, Western Carolina University, and the other colleges in the conference is very detrimental to their operations and hinders the work which they perform.

Campus ministries are considered strongholds for students who might otherwise be lost in the secularism of the college environment. They provide shelter for those in trouble, opportunities to explore and strengthen their own personal faith, they perform missions to those in need, and give of themselves to help benefit those who otherwise may be forgotten. In many cases, the campus ministry may be the only connection to a church and to their faith. In such cases, the presence of a healthy, well-funded campus ministry is not only important, it is vital to those students who otherwise may not have a religious institution to attend.

We the undersigned have seen the funding cut year to year for whatever reasons being for too long without any objection from those who actually attended the ministries. The time is now for us Alumni and students to take a stand and say to the Western North Carolina Conference and say No, this is not okay to continue to take so much funding away from our colleges and universities.

We ask that you reconsider the figures you plan to cut from the campus ministries funding by greatly reducing the amount proposed to be cut, or even better not cut their funding at all. We ask you to find somewhere else in the budget to make up these cuts.

The Church, like all forms or organizations, must retain membership to stay aloft. During a Christians college life where their faith is challenged on a daily basis with philosophy and temptation, the college programs MUST be strong and healthy. The future members (and leaders) come from within these institutions, please do not deny them adequate funding to perform this task