OPINION: Misplaced millions

By Kaya DeAngelis

Stonehill recently announced the 6.5 million dollar purchase of Easton Country Club, the 150-acre golf course 3.5 miles from campus. This property will house the Division 1 men’s and women’s golf teams, with men’s making their debut to Division 1 play in the 2026-2027 academic year. The rationale for this purchase was to “expand academic and professional development opportunities…” and provide opportunities for hands-on coursework, internships, and student employment. While this all sounds great in admissions materials and in the local newspaper, how does it benefit the overall current student body? 

Stonehill College is one of the most expensive private schools in Massachusetts. Students and families are willing to make this investment because there is an expectation that their money will buy a safe and comfortable living environment, quality food, excellent academic programs, and facilities that benefit all students. The college also assures students and families that their well-being, academic growth, and emotional, physical, and spiritual health are a priority. However, the college continues to make decisions that prove otherwise. In recent years, it has decided to apply for Division I status, accepting the enormous cost of either building or improving athletic facilities as well as providing athletic scholarships. Now, it has purchased a country club, which again, will benefit athletes and a small percentage of business majors. 

While Stonehill steamrolls ahead with its strategic plan to become a true competitor in the Northeast collegiate scene, they are completely neglecting the students they have in front of them. Each year, students always have the same complaints: there’s not enough parking, the food is inedible, the dorms need updating, and there is a lack of proper facilities. Why does the college continue to overlook basic student concerns, which have been clearly communicated for years, and choose to invest in things like buying a country club that will benefit only a very small percentage of the student body?

Recent financial decisions do not demonstrate a true commitment to the current students or faculty. Students have suffered from mold poisoning in dorm rooms, and it now seems commonplace to hear of a flood in Boland. Most dorms are without air conditioning, water refilling stations, adequate washers and dryers, or well-maintained facilities. There are frequent instances of food poisoning and a lack of healthy or fresh food options. But this isn’t new or shocking news. It has been written about, spoken about, and put forward to the administration over and over again with no real solutions.

Commitment to a holistic, well-rounded academic life continues to decline, as the “liberal arts” focus of the college dwindles amid the removal of a foreign language requirement that took effect in recent years. Humanities majors, such as English, history, art, and philosophy, continue to suffer as the college prioritizes enrollment in the business program. The Duffy academic building, which houses mostly humanities and performing arts courses, hasn’t been updated in years. Meanwhile, the business building is the newest on campus, and it still sees updates quite often. 

As a senior, it saddens me to see the utter disregard that Stonehill shows for the needs of its current students and faculty. We are an institution that has long prided itself on developing well-rounded individuals in a supportive and community-centered environment. Somewhere along the way, this mission got lost. Somewhere, it became more about money and enrollment numbers than commitment to student well-being, happiness, and success. I hope that eventually we can get back to the true core of what Stonehill College was always meant to be, a special and unique place that students are proud to call home.