Carole Chapel
On March 17, 2004, the Washburn University Board of Regents gave their final approval related to the acceptance of the Nunemaker Chapel from the Menninger Foundation. This gift caused a great deal of discussion and dissension throughout the approval process and raised several questions along the way.
The Gift
First of all, one Board member that approved the acceptance of the gift became the lead donor of the fundraising effort. His wife, Carole, had suggested that the University attempt to get the chapel as a gift when Menninger Clinic first announced that they would be relocating from Topeka. It seems that there was a conflict of interest within this action on his part.
The Site
Having accepted the gift, an acrimonious exchange ensued as to where the chapel should be located. Although an attempt was made to consider student input, the final resting place for the chapel was not much different than the location first proposed and then opposed. In fact, the Board approved a site in June, 2003, reversed their decision in July, 2003, and then approved the final site in August, 2003.
The Design
As though the site location didn't create enough controversy, the Board then proceeded in November, 2003 to suggest a redesign of the building by lowering the roof line. After ruffling significant feathers with this suggestion, the Board reversed that decision in March, 2004.
The Budget
Throughout this process, the budget for this project increased significantly. Although originally suggested that building a new 1,500 sq. ft. structure couldn't cost more than $250,000, the proposed budget for the relocation of this "gift" soared from $250,000 in May, 2003 to nearly $500,000 in September, 2003. As of June 30, 2004, there were $244,956 expenditures reported against fundraising of $125,393, with deficit spending of $119,563.
Source of Funds
Although the ultimate source of funds was to be from fundraising efforts, the University was authorized to advance up to $100,000 of its reserve funds to move the project along. This was in addition to the $50,000 of University reserves approved by the Board to enhance the landscaping in the general area of the relocated chapel.
The Name
After months of discussion, conflicting Board actions, and some $500,000 later, the end result is a campus chapel nestled within several other buildings, very unlike the setting for which it was originally designed. The final step, naming the chapel, was first considered by the Board of Regents at their October, 2004 meeting. Agreement as to the name could not be reached at that meeting. The decision was postponed until November. At the November Board meeting, Menninger personnel came to the meeting to propose that the original name, Nunemaker Chapel, be retained as a sign of respect to the original donor that made construction of the chapel possible. In spite of their objections, the Board approved on a 4-2 vote to name the building Carole Chapel.
Lingering Questions:
As of June 30, 2005 the University has spent nearly $490,000 on this project, with only $196,000 of funds received, creating deficit spending of $293,520. This deficit is hard to understand since WEA reported it had received $200,000 in cash donations at the September 17, 2003 Board of Regents meeting.
With the university's contribution of $50,000 in addition to the $200,000 in hand, the financial reports should be showing at least $250,000 as the total source of funds. How is the remaining fundraising progressing? The Washburn Endowment Association reported new pledges of $101,500 for FY05. It appears that the fundraising may fall short of the total amount expended on this project.