By Daniel Kerwin

Macalester has introduced a new website to help the college community understand how the current economic crisis is impacting the school and how it is responding.The webpage, launched just before spring break, can be accessed from the Macalester homepage. Director of Communications Amy Phenix described the page as a “clearinghouse of how Macalester is dealing with its budget and with the economy.”

The page has links to the steps the college has already taken in addressing the issue. The links lead to a summarized audio recording of the campus economic forum from March 9, two of President Rosenberg’s Household Words columns from the Macalester Today magazine which focus on the economy, a copy of President Rosenberg’s letter to the college community about the delays in this year’s budget and Mac Weekly articles concerning the economy.

There are also links to a frequently asked questions section about Macalester and the economy, and to the Financial Aid and the Career Development Center website.

Phenix said that the primary reason for the creation of the webpage was to ensure that the college was being transparent about budget decisions being made as well as to provide people with good background information on the situation.

“It’s a good thing for people to be aware that it is out there,” Phenix said. “As the college continues to make decisions we will continue to update it.