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Why is Ursuline College partnering with Gannon University?
The landscape in higher education, particularly private liberal arts schools, is changing rapidly. Our leadership has taken a proactive approach to embark on a new path that educates our students for generations to come and preserves our traditions and mission.
Gannon University has a complementary mission, Catholic traditions, and student-focused values. With a strategic goal to create the premier Catholic higher education system along Lake Erie’s shores, Gannon sees Ursuline College as a valued partner with nationally recognized programs and an incredible campus.
Can you tell us more about Gannon University?
Erie, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio are Rustbelt cities, a comfortable 1.5-hour drive from each other. Gannon University is a Catholic, diocesan university with campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ruskin, Florida, offering online and traditional associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs to more than 4,700 academically talented and diverse students.
Gannon University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Inspired by Catholic Intellectual Tradition, the University offers a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness, and social responsibility.
Will Ursuline College be closing?
No. The campus will be maintained.
What is the financial benefit of this partnership?
The partnership between Gannon University and Ursuline College is financially beneficial and strategic for both institutions. For Ursuline College, joining forces with Gannon ensures continued access to resources, programs, and support, securing its future and allowing it to thrive in a competitive higher education landscape. For Gannon, the expansion into Northeast Ohio enhances its regional presence and student enrollment, providing long-term growth opportunities.
Will Ursuline College have a new name?
Ursuline College’s name and history will be recognized and preserved.
Will there continue to be two Boards of Trustees?
This area and others will be determined during the due diligence process.
What does the Letter of Intent mean?
The announcement of an LOI (Letter of Intent) signals a public phase of the discussion and a time of exploration, during which we will gather additional due diligence information, prepare more detailed financial pro-formas, and map academic programs, negotiate key terms of a definitive agreement with the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, and establish collaborative working groups at both institutions.
How will Ursuline and Gannon partner?
Gannon will replace the Ursuline Sisters as the sole member of the Ursuline College Corporation. Subject to regulatory and accrediting approvals, Ursuline College will become part of Gannon University based on the terms of a Definitive Agreement that will be developed.
What is a Definitive agreement?
A definitive agreement is a binding contract that states the final terms and conditions of transactions between two organizations.
What is the timeline of the approval process?
The official transaction must follow the regulatory requirements of state and federal departments of education and accrediting bodies (Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Higher Learning Commission). The process can take between 12 and 18 months or longer.
How long has this partnership been in the works?
Ursuline College and Gannon University have been in discussions since the spring. Early conversations were kept private out of respect for both communities and until the boards of both institutions decided to move forward to further explore this partnership.
What was the alternative?
Welcoming students from nearby Notre Dame College showed Ursuline College the stress students experienced when their school closed. Ursuline College leadership has never seen closure as an option. We proactively sought a mutually beneficial partnership that preserves our traditions, enhances our students’ experiences, and offers expanded opportunities.
Will this newly formed strategic combination still be a Catholic institution?
Yes. Gannon University, like Ursuline, is rooted in Catholic tradition under the Catholic Diocese of Erie. While the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland will continue to serve as a part of the Pepper Pike campus, where their traditions and mission will continue to impact lives, the partnership would be under the Catholic Diocese of Erie.
Why are the Ursuline Sisters no longer leading Ursuline College?
The Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland founded Ursuline College in 1871, after arriving in Cleveland in 1850. In 1970 they gifted 66 acres to Ursuline College and sold the existing buildings to the college for $10 while retaining reserved powers and maintaining sponsorship of the College. The Sisters have supported the college in its pathway to change and as part of the strategic partnership process throughout the subsequent decades, and that continues today. The Sisters see alignment between their mission of transforming lives through contemplation, justice, and compassion and the missions of both Gannon and Ursuline College. Both Ursuline and Gannon are committed to respectfully honor and continue the traditions set in place by the Ursuline Sisters.
Will Gannon University replace the Ursuline Sisters as the sole member of Ursuline College Corporation and if so why?
The Ursuline Sisters have been the sponsor of Ursuline College for 153 years, but with the declining number of sisters, they have been looking for a suitable sponsor to carry on the tradition of Catholic Higher Education into the future. They believe Gannon University in the Catholic Diocese of Erie is a good fit to do this.
So, yes, Gannon University will become the sole member of the Ursuline College Corporation if a definitive agreement is reached. The Sisters are fully supportive of this move because it means that the Catholic heritage will be preserved with the Catholic Diocese of Erie serving as the new sponsor.
Does this mean Ursuline Sisters are releasing ownership of its campus and property?
Yes, the Ursuline Sisters made the decision that the campus property and all the Ursuline College assets and liabilities would eventually become property of Gannon University if a definitive agreement is reached. They made this decision to ensure that Catholic higher education will be maintained even when the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland no longer exist.
Will our undergraduate campus change from a women-focused school and campus to a co-ed model?
We are a co-ed campus already; our intention is to continue our commitment to serving the women and underserved/under-resourced students. At Gannon University, the student body is 65% women, the leadership team is 50% women, and all three deans are women.
How will our athletic teams and scholarships change? Will we still be Division II and be in the GMAC?
We understand there will be many questions about the future of athletics and its individual programs. Like Ursuline College, Gannon values athletics as part of the student experience. Gannon is a NCAA Division II school that has had tremendous success, including sending at least four teams to the NCAA’s Elite 8 just this past year. There are no current plans to merge any athletic programs or make any immediate changes, at either institution given the different locations, legacies, and conferences. In time, options will be explored with the engagement of all staff, coaches, and students.
What changes can we expect for our academic programs, tuition, and transfer credits?
For now, nothing will change – not tuition, not diplomas, not scholarships. After the successful completion of due diligence and needed regulatory approvals, we can explore how to optimize our student experience by expanding their opportunities and making any transition – in processes, in programs – as seamless as possible.
How will this impact our academic programs in our School for the Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies?
These programs are vital to our mission and overall student experience. We do not see any changes soon. The partnership creates opportunities to expand the number of program offerings, enhance our value-based curricula and broaden the students’ overall learning experience.
How does this impact our nursing programs and the rest of the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions?
This partnership further strengthens Ursuline’s nationally recognized and highly ranked nursing programs and affiliations. Gannon is also known for its health programs. The integration of complementary programs at Ursuline and Gannon will expand opportunities for students at both institutions. It will also open doors for new opportunities to build and expand our healthcare footprint in two additional states – Pennsylvania and Florida at Gannon’s Ruskin campus.
How does Gannon University support the LGBTQ+ community?
Like Ursuline College, Gannon University provides many resources and initiatives to support its LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff. In addition to an active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office that promotes diversity and intercultural understanding, Gannon offers the GU LGBTQ+ club to provide an environment of support and camaraderie. For the past year, Gannon has also offered a Safe Zone training for employees on both of Gannon’s campuses.
Will I be able to direct my donation to the Ursuline campus?
We understand the emotional connection we all have to our institution, and we will seek ways to enhance that, not minimize it. Regarding philanthropic support, integrity is important to Ursuline and Gannon. Any restricted contribution will be honored for its original intent.
