The Eagle-Tribune - Latest Comments in Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

mory56 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:56:54 -0000

All these people who seem to think that we in North Andover are rich. Please come to my house for dinner one day see what we have to eat. I do not complain, I learned many years ago by my Parents, you eat what you can afford. Well right now all we can afford to eat isgrilled cheese and hamburgers and chips . And if we are lucky after paying all of ours bills we may get to eat some sort of a chicken dinner. So tell the colledge to pay up there 50,000. and stop crying

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

justmy2opinion — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:26:54 -0000

yeah, and dont forget the story saying that this year they will have their largest freshman class in history. Each resident student pays about 45- 50k per year to go to that school, I am sure Merrimack College can give 50k to each town, that is the LEAST they can give

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

justmy2opinion — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:23:24 -0000

The people of Lawrence dont need Merrimack's money, they get enough money from unemployment and welfare already

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

NA Parent — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:36:27 -0000

I have also heard many rumors that the former President of the college left MC in a big financial mess. Also, that this year's larger class will just begin to make up for the past few years of smaller enrollment.. I am sure that there is much we do not know about their current financial situation. I do feel the new President should have met with town officials instead of sending an impersonal letter as notification. There is something to be said for Community Relations, and it appears he has just alienated much of the community over what would seem like a small amount of money, given the services they receive from the town.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Duh — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:27:49 -0000

Don't get me wrong I definately think they should keep donating at least 50K a year to the community as MC, unlike a church, uses significant resources from the community.

On a personal note I also believe their student body should be getting motivated by their religious education to become more involved in helping area non-profits.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Randy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:22:06 -0000

I live in apartments down the street (by Market Basket) up on the hill. MC students moved in across the hall from me and are TERRIBLE.

There's like 8 guys living in a 3BDR apt. They leave their door open at all hours of the night screaming. There are drunk kids (like 20-30) running up and down the steps on a regular basis. There is dried up vomit in the halls CONSTANTLY.

And, the whole building smells like pot.

I've given my apt. PLENTY of time to take care of them themselves, and they haven't. So, next time I call Lawrence Police.

They might as well add Lawrence to the list too!

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Take a Look Around! — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:13:57 -0000

WOW...you obviously never stepped foot into any church...most do a lot more to help the impoverished in our neighborhoods than the government or any other non-profit organization.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Kaley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:46:50 -0000

Police and Fire should charge for every call received on and off campus for Merrimack students. Any local condo owner will tell you that police and fire are at their complexes dealing with Merrimack College students inappropriate behavior all the time. The college really needs to realize how well their students are taken care of off campus by local officials and 50K is not even close to what the students cost the tax payers

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Okie — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:21:19 -0000

The college should be paying the town payment in lieu of taxes each years like other organizations. The college should also be handing out a set number of scholarships to the local area high school students. The catholic church owns many, many properties in the area tax free and they don't give back to the community.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

bob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:07:03 -0000

Oh please, Lawrence gets enough money from the state of MA and our tax dollars they don;t need the 50 grand. Cry me a river.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

chimpy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:41:40 -0000

Unless of course they blow at managing their finances and accepted more freshman this year to try and get more cash flow in the door.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Mike — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:09:07 -0000

Oh my gosh: a wealthy town griping about not getting a lousy $50K. Unbelievable.

Unless they got it in writing and/or it could be considered a contractual arrangement, if I were the college I'd tell the town to go jump in Lake Cochichewick.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Duh — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:08:07 -0000

"Merrimack saw its largest freshman class this year in more than a decade." - This and their tuition is highly inflated makes your comment doubtful

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

chimpy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:02:43 -0000

Maybe a tax paying community minded college will take over for the inept Catholic leaders in place now. Heck, who cares if they pay taxes, giving back to the community in any form will be better tahan what's there now.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

chimpy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:59:14 -0000

But the point is that MC does not pay the huge tax bill because of their religious affiliation- yet they make substantial income from students and donate very little, just as you said, yet they are included in the Catholic Church's vast expanse of free land.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Commentard — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:53:08 -0000

Then they should be spending their money wisely instead of sinking millions into pretty new landscaping and a new entrance!!!

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

chimpy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:47:33 -0000

How does that make any sense?

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

whome — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:38:50 -0000

Remember...the strong rumors out there is that Merrimack College is in serious financial trouble that threatens the existance of the school it'self.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Dean — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:04:27 -0000

I'm a Merrimack Alum & I’m embarrassed they would do this. My annual financial support will be ending. Others who contribute should reconsider their financial support too.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Duh — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:43:44 -0000

Your a genious! Im pretty sure the religious organizations, like a church, draw far less local resources (In the form of fire/police) than a college and donate a lot more of their own resoucres to the community through food pantries and such. Im sure a local church also operates on far lower income than a prestigous college.

Bottom Line: Merrimack College Does Far Less for the local community than what it is given, I laughed when I saw the note about their students helping/interning with local schools...that does nothing but help those students gain a resume by watching a locally paid teacher in action. Also they claim COMMUNITY ACTION? If Merrimack College wants to know what real community action is I would refer them to Central Catholic's association with Lazaurus House...thats a real way to help your local community.

Oh I forgot they buy their food a Panera Bread so we should be thankful! What a Crock!

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Jamie — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:14:56 -0000

The whiners don't want to pay and constantly state that town's should downsize rather than look for extra funds. But when its someone else's money, they have their hands out and voices raised. It is certainly nice of Merrimack to have contributed and politically it may not be smart to stop the contributions. However, they are under no legal obligation to give the towns anything, not one dime. If you have a real problem with that, get the law changed. Oh wait, then we'll find out who is really benefiting from this law. (Hint: the Catholic Church is the number one holder of untaxed private land in the state.)

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Althea — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:03:35 -0000

With tuition now being about double what it was ten years ago, I'm sure the administration could scrape together an extra $50K. I find myself continuously being embarressed when having to admit that I'm a Merrimack alum due to stories like this.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Rich towns crying — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:58:12 -0000

Andover and North Andover dont need the money. Merrimack should be making 100K donation to Lawrence every year if they really wanted to make a difference.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

Show me the $$$$$ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:53:13 -0000

Brooks gives, Phillips gives, Merrimack has given. The people of Lawrence have given to Central Catholic. More than an acre of land for $1.00. We even closed off a few streets and gave that space to them.
Now, after more than fifty years of the free ride Lawrence needs the gesture returned. Mayor Sullivan if you don't ask, you don't get.

Re: Merrimack College reneges on $50K donation to towns, cites economy

????? — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:28:25 -0000

Correction: should say "play recreational ball"