SAVE KOPERNIK - SAVE KOPERNIK: The Full Story

Roberson attempted to cut major funding and programs from Kopernik.

Since January 1st, 2006, more than 9,000 visitors have arrived at Kopernik. Can this really be a black hole for Roberson's money?
        Recently, Roberson looked into their economic future and saw a giant deficit. Roberson blamed Kopernik, the observatory and learning center that has provided us with so much knowledge and fun. Roberson believed that cutting programs and raising the prices of surviving ones wouldl remedy the situation. However, there is some question whether Kopernik is the source of such a deficit.
         Kopernik was built to be effecient. In the words of Donald Flanagan, "I don't think you can effectively run a space and science program without the facilities that are at Kopernik..." Its heating and cooling system is geothermal, and its solar panels supply energy for the lab. During the summers, Link Summer Science Explorations brings in the money. This summer showed a 12% increase, with over 300 students excited to volunteer their treasured summer vacation for time at Kopernik.
         Roberson Director Terry McDonald said that Roberson has "been plagued with deficits from many, many years." But is Kopernik the source of these deficits? Jay Sarton, former director of Kopernik, thinks differently. He said, "If you took the income that Kopernik made and subtracted the expenses and the cost of the staff, it was basically a wash..."  Sarton sees no old deficits.
         The Kopernik Space Education Center has several types of programs. The central curriculum is known as Kopernik Talent Search. Here, students pay $45 for a three hour class on Saturdays. The public comes to Friday Night programs to learn about astronomy, and take a look through any of Kopernik's amazing telescopes. At School Programs, classes arrive during the day, and usually learn about solar observing.
            Roberson's plan did not make sense, and would not work. They wanted Kopernik's Friday Nights to continue as usual, but wanted to move school trips to Roberson. This was irrational because these programs feed students into the Talent Search, and it would collapse as a result. Therefore, all of these program cuts would cause a chain reaction of a spiraling decrease of enrollment in the Link Summer Science institutes, which is Kopernik's most important program.
            At this point in time, the situation has simmered down, and the final negotiation stages are underway. It seems like we've done our part, however, the fight is not over. Kopernik now has to support itself, without outside funding. This challenge can be met by several objectives:

Become a member: Membership fees go directly to Kopernik, and will help it run on its own

Participate in, or spread the word about the Kopernik Link Summer Science Explorations Programs: Summer science programs that everyone can enjoy. Click here to hear about campers' experiences.

Donate to Kopernik's Reach for the Stars program

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This site has no relation to the SAVE KOPERNIK Task Force

SAVE KOPERNIK: The Full Story

Roberson attempted to cut major funding and programs from Kopernik.

Become a member: Membership fees go directly to Kopernik, and will help it run on its own

Participate in, or spread the word about the Kopernik Link Summer Science Explorations Programs: Summer science programs that everyone can enjoy. Click here to hear about campers' experiences.

Donate to Kopernik's Reach for the Stars program

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