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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Art department’s photography concentration closes

Art department's photography concentration ends.
Photography concentration comes to an end due to low enrollment.
Fashion Castillo-Delgadillo and Patricia Yang February 23, 2023

Dania Lopez, former student at Biola University, first came to Biola in fall 2021, interested in a pre-medical route as a biology major. Still unsure of what she wanted to pursue and feeling pressure as a first-generation college student to fit traditional career paths, she decided to start her college...

Financial changes hit Biola

Biola navigates financial changes.
The Chimes explains employment cuts, enrollment drop and Biola's debt.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief February 23, 2023

Correction: March 8 An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the School of Humanities and Social Sciences laid off a Sociology faculty member. He was laid off from a separate staff position at the university but remains as an adjunct with the Sociology department.  The structure...

How dorm consolidation impacts Biola

Alpha Chi is changing from the only all-girl dorm on Biola's campus to co-ed housing.
Dorm changes bring about an attitude of uncertainty amongst Biola students.
Noel Sassoon, Deputy Opinions Editor February 6, 2023

On Jan. 31, Sandy Hough, the dean of community life & Title IX coordinator, sent an email to Biola students announcing a drastic change to Biola’s residential community: Alpha Hall will become a co-ed dorm beginning in fall of 2023. Additionally, Alpha, Sigma and Hart Hall will only be available...

Biola cuts numerous courses

Biola discontinues 10 academic programs.
Academic and online programs are set to phase out for spring 2023.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief January 11, 2023

With the start of the spring 2023 semester, Biola has been making multiple changes including course modifications that will cut eight online programs and two academic programs. Students will no longer be able to enroll in the discontinued courses this academic semester.  In two press releases published...

Biola welcomes incoming students for fall 2022

Courtesy of Mackenzie Connor
Welcome week marks a new commencement for enrollment after a struggle following the pandemic.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief August 29, 2022

Biola University’s New Student Orientation kicked off on Aug. 25, celebrating the new semester and welcoming new students to the community. The university faced many challenges with enrollment throughout the pandemic and continues to face decreased enrollment rates.  WELCOME WEEK RECAP Incoming...

Biola’s giveaway hopes to diversify and enlarge campus numbers

Biola’s giveaway hopes to diversify and enlarge campus numbers
Following regulation changes Biola offers first-ever incentive program.
Monica Salazar-Jimenez, Opinions Editor November 9, 2021

On Oct. 27, Biola announced a giveaway for prospective students on Instagram. Biola plans to provide the winner with a full four-year tuition scholarship and three runner-ups with two "Believe Key" Disneyland passes. According to Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing and Communications Lee Wilhite,...

A snapshot of Biola’s finances during COVID-19

A snapshot of Biola’s finances during COVID-19
Biola is managing to stay afloat in the midst of a pandemic that has left many financially unstable.
Lacey Patrick and Natalie Willis February 15, 2021

Despite higher enrollment rates than expected last year, Biola has cut expenses and downsized staff in order to combat the financial stressor of the coronavirus pandemic. Even with the lack of housing revenue, the university is managing to withstand a financially challenging season. FINANCIAL IMPACT...

The pandemic could cost Biola $3.4 million

The pandemic could cost Biola $3.4 million
Housing and meal plan reimbursements chip away at the university’s operating expenses.
Lacey Patrick, Editor-in-Chief April 22, 2020

On March 14, Biola announced that housing and meal plan reimbursements would be distributed to students who were forced to leave campus because of COVID-19. Vice President of University Operations and Finance Michael Pierce said this could cost the university up to $3.4 million in expenses, after accounting...

Finance department restructures to alleviate financial burden for students

The recent reorganization allows the university to adapt to long-term changes in student demographics.
Brittany Ung, Web Editor October 4, 2019

Enrollment is up, higher than last year. However, student morale is down. While Student Development is trying their hand at helping students’ mental health, the finance department is seeing what they can do to alleviate financial stress. An increase in student stress and government reporting has caused...

Declining enrollment forces administration to get creative about funding

Declining enrollment forces administration to get creative about funding
Biola is working to increase student affordability through raising scholarships and endowment.
Russell Spacy, Freelance Writer April 29, 2019

College decision day, May 1, is the day high school students make their final college decisions. College affordability is an ever present factor in a student’s college decision, with many prospective students looking at both a school’s sticker price and scholarship offerings. A yearly drop in undergraduate...

Summer school just got cool

Student looking at their laptop next to Fluor fountain
The two sessions save money and help students graduate earlier.
Julianna Hernandez, News Editor (Spring 2019) April 26, 2018

Summer often coincides with beach trips, Netflix binges, seasonal jobs and restful sleep. For some, it serves as a time to catch up on units and to save time and money through summer courses LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS With the new calendar change, the summer sessions at Biola now include two terms....

Hispanic undergraduate enrollment increased 1.2 percent in fall 2017

Infograph showing the fall enrollment for Hispanic students: 19% in 2015, 20% in 2016, 22% in 2017
As numbers of Hispanic students increase, administration may receive more federal funds.
Christian Leonard, Editor-in-Chief January 31, 2018

Though increasing undergraduate Hispanic enrollment from 20.3 percent in fall 2016 to 21.5 percent in fall 2017, administration seeks to meet requirements to qualify for recognition as a Hispanic Serving Institution. BECOMING A HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION The Department of Education requires...