Answers for Tuition Cost Questions
We’ve gotten some questions from students about our increase in tuition, room and board for next year.  In dollar amounts, the tuition increase is $1,140 over this year’s tuition.  With room and board the total increase is $1,570.    This is the second smallest increase in 15 years. We recognize that these are tough economic times, however the increase was necessary because of the rising costs we have incurred. If any student has questions about this, or if a faculty/staff member has an opportunity to correct misinformation, please note the following: 

• Tuition, Room and Board covers only 57% of the cost of the educational services.  The College covers the balance through donations and endowment income. 
• Peace will continue to provide up to $5 million in College aid in addition to state and federal grants and loans. 
• Each student must file a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year at www.FAFSA.ed.gov in order to be considered for any kind of aid, including scholarships. 
• The earlier students apply for financial aid, the sooner eligibility for scholarship awards can be determined and preferred housing selections made. 

Financial Literacy workshops will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 24 and 25, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Jones Lecture Hall (Flowe 110).  They will be led by Dean of Admissions Matt Green and Assistant Director of Financial Aid Shawn Henderson. 

President Bingham answers WRAL’s “Ask Anything”
President Bingham appeared this week as the guest in WRAL’s “Ask Anything” feature on the television station’s website. The feature allowed viewers to pose questions, to which Bingham replied. The questions covered topics such as how Peace plans to continue to attract students, the college’s finances, its traditions, its promising academic programs, and more. You can read the questions and President Bingham’s answers by going to: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4545778/. 

Best Wishes to Newlywed Melissa Lipari

Peace Garden Club Meeting on Thursday
An initial planning meeting for those interested in forming a Garden Club to enhance the beauty of the Peace campus will be held on Thursday at noon in the President’s Dining Room.  Open to students, faculty, staff and alumnae, this group will meet to brainstorm and make plans for two Saturday workdays this spring.  Lunch is through the line at your own expense.  

The Chordoma Foundation - a United Way Agency - by Heather Lee
I’d like to make the Peace College community aware of an opportunity to make a huge difference by donating to the Chordoma Foundation (www.chordomafoundation.org).  Justin’s story was on the front page of the Peace Times last week and I would like to invite my colleagues to help me find treatments and a cure for the disease that cut short his vibrant life.   

Anyone who is giving to United Way can “write in” at the bottom of the form, under Option C “Additional Giving Options”, The Chordorma Foundation, P. O. Box 4562, Greensboro, NC 27404, phone number 919 809-6779.  The advantage of giving through United Way is that you can use payroll deduction.  Even though I give in other ways to the Foundation throughout the year, this year I will be giving $1000 through payroll deduction which amounts to $83.33 per paycheck over 12 months or $100 per month over 10 months.   Even if you don’t give to the Chordoma Foundation, please take advantage of the payroll deduction option to make a difference for another nonprofit of your choosing.   Given the current economy, corporate giving is down so individual giving will be the primary source of funds for many organizations. 

Editor's Note:  if you'd like to "spotlight" a United Way agency, feel free to send a brief description to Shawn Henderson, Peace's 08-09 Campaign Chair, at shenderson@peace.edu.  Shawn will share these throughout the campaign (through March 20).

Business Office Changes
Lauren Holmes recently moved from her purchasing/payroll position in the Business Office to the Human Resources Office to take JoAnn Sauls’ position in dealing with HR issues. Lauren will be taking the payroll function with her to the H.R. office. Her replacement in the Business Office will be Sandra (Sandy) Blevins, who starts work today. Sandy will take on Lauren’s other functions along with other duties related to student accounts, Pacer Card, and collections. Sandy has a background in accounting, having worked in both accounts payable and accounts receivable. Her hours will be Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so we can better serve the adult programs in the evenings. 

Green Team Will Take You Off Catalog Lists
This week the Green Team will be collecting catalogues that you receive and would like to be unsubscribed from. We have realized that there are a number of catalogues being sent that no one wants and we would like to fix the root of the problem rather than just recycling them. Boxes will be located around campus and in the mailroom until Friday. To participate, simply place your catalogues in one of the marked boxes and the Green Team will call and unsubscribe you from them before recycling. Please contact Immie Miles or Jessica Baxter with questions. 

Donations Sought for Emergency Food Pantry 

Mexico Trip Info Session on Thursday
Dr. Laura Vick will host a Mexico information session on Tuesday, March 24 at 5 p.m. in Flowe 322. All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend this three-week program in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, July 3- 24, 2009. Fee: $3,300 includes tuition, airfare, room, board and all excursions. Scholarships for students are also available. 

Central College Study-Abroad Organizer Visiting Peace
International Studies will host Ms. Jessica Klyn of Central College Abroad on campus to promote summer and semester abroad programs with Central College. She will be in Belk Dining Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Money Matters

A section of Campus Announcements featuring savings tips and helpful hints! If you have a money-saving tip to share with others through "Money Matters," please send it to Susan Childs, schilds@peace.edu. 

Turn Off Computer Monitors
Turning off your computer monitor and your office lights each time you leave for a meeting and when you leave at the end of the day are two simple ways we can all help save energy and cut costs. 

Birthdays 
Feb. 23  Kim Hocking, Felicia Mainella
Feb. 26  Scott McElreath
Feb. 27  Kelly Johnson, Michael Magoon 

What's Up on Campus?
Following is an abridged version of Master Calendar events. For information on these and other events, see the Master Calendar http://pride.peace.edu/      

Monday, Feb. 23 

Tuesday, Feb. 24
Chapel Service
3:30 p.m. 

Alpha Chi induction
4:45 p.m.
Chapel 

Mexico Study-Abroad Trip Info Session
5 p.m.
Flowe 322 

Wednesday, Feb. 25
Ash Wednesday Service
9 a.m.

Chapel Administrative Assistants Forum
10 a.m.
Williams Board Room 

Thursday, Feb. 26
Faculty Assembly
3:30 p.m.
Flowe 110 

Friday, Feb. 27
Spring Break begins
5 p.m.