SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — After months of speculation, Notre Dame College will be closing its doors at the end of this semester, ending a more than 100-year presence in South Euclid.
“We are all saddened by the need to make this decision, but rest assured that as we move forward, we are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for our students to continue their education,” said Notre Dame College Interim President John Smetanka in a statement.
What's next for NDC students?
In a release, Notre Dame College announced that it has secured agreements with nine partner colleges and universities to help current students in good standing continue their college careers through a "Teach-Out program" or as a transfer student. The nine partner colleges and universities are:
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Cleveland State University
- Hiram College
- John Carroll University
- Kent State University
- Lake Erie College
- Ursuline College
- Walsh University
- Mercyhurst University (Erie, PA)
NDC says current students in good standing with at least 60 completed credits will receive guaranteed admission to pursue their degrees uninterrupted at a partner institution, with comparable net tuition and transfer of all credits. Meanwhile, current NDC students in good standing with less than 60 completed credits "may have the opportunity to transfer to a partner institution and receive the same benefits of the Teach-Out Program."
Notre Dame College plans to host a Partner College/University Fair on Wednesday, March 13 from 12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. in Keller Gymnasium. Officials "will work one-on-one with students to help them determine their best path forward."
Walsh University in North Canton was the first to announce that it will be offering "automatic acceptance and financial package matching" to all undergraduate students of Notre Dame College following the news of its impending closure. Walsh Vice President of Enrollment Management Rebecca Coneglio wrote the following in a release by the university.
"We understand that this is an anxious time for you and want to reassure you that Walsh University is prepared to accept you into our campus community with as little impact on your budget and timeline as possible. We are offering automatic acceptance and financial package matching to all Notre Dame undergraduate students. Additionally, our counselors are standing by to guide you through your course mapping to ensure you continue on your path towards graduation as you have planned. Our coaches will help you navigate and explore our NCAA Division II athletic programs, and our residence life professionals will be here to accommodate your living arrangements. Our goal is to make this transition for you as easy and smooth as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly, should you have any questions."
NDC students can click here for more information about a transition to Walsh University.
Hiram College says "all Notre Dame students will be guaranteed admission to Hiram College with no application fee." Additionally, Hiram say it will provide "100% transfer of all credits granted or accepted as transfer by Notre Dame towards an equal or comparable degree program, and the net cost to complete courses and other requirements to graduate will cost the same or less than what the student would pay at Notre Dame."
Click here for information and contacts if you are an NDC student interested in transferring to Hiram.
Ursuline College in nearby Pepper Pike says it is collaborating with Notre Dame College to enable students to complete their programs without major disruption. “We’re developing plans to accommodate the academic, financial and emotional needs of NDC students using our recent experience with Chamberlain College of Nursing closing its Cleveland branch as our guide,” said Kathryn LaFontana, Ph.D., Ursuline provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Notre Dame College students are welcome to attend the Ursuline College Open House on Saturday, March 2. Click here for more information.
John Carroll University, also near South Euclid, said in a statement that it is "committed" to securing the future of NDC students as college graduates.
"We are deeply saddened by Notre Dame College’s announcement of their upcoming closure. Our deepest condolences are with all who love this institution, which has served a mission of Catholic higher education in our community for more than a century.
"We have entered into an agreement with NDC to serve as a teach-out partner. For all students who qualify, John Carroll University is standing by to offer automatic admission, no lost credit, and net price matching.
"As you know, a shuttle bus is already running each and every day between the NDC and JCU campuses, allowing NDC students to easily access JCU as they explore a transition to this community. Our goal is to offer you a personalized transition to JCU with as little disruption as possible to your remaining days at NDC.
"Additional details will be coming in the following days, but we can make one simple promise to NDC students right now: we’re committed to securing your future as a college graduate, welcoming you into JCU’s phenomenal network of conscientious students, faculty, staff and alumni, and doing everything in our power to make your transition seamless."
NDC says it will also offer HR support to all faculty and staff to support them with their career transition.
Notre Dame College first opened its doors in 1922 as a women's college. The college became coeducational in 2001.
"The Board of Trustees is profoundly grateful to Notre Dame College students for their endurance; to school leadership, faculty and staff for their loyal service and commitment; and to the many friends, donors, and partners who have so generously supported this very special institution, allowing the college to fulfill its mission for over 100 years. Notre Dame College’s impact and legacy will live on through the contributions of its more than 5,000 alumni and all members of our college community, past and present," NDC added in its release.
Why is NDC closing?
In its release, Notre Dame College stated that "like many small higher education institutions across the country, NDC has faced long-standing challenges related to declining enrollment, a shrinking pool of college-aged students, rising costs and significant debt." 3News has since learned that debt exceeded $10 million.
“Throughout this long process, we evaluated every possible option to continue the mission of Notre Dame College," said Terri Bradford Eason, chair of the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame College. “Our primary focus has been to ensure our students can successfully continue their education, graduate, and – in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame – live a life of personal, professional and global responsibility.”
Concerns about the future of the college first surfaced last November, when Notre Dame College President Dr. J. Michael Pressimone "voluntarily" resigned to pursue other opportunities. Amid concerns that the resignation was indicative of an insecure future at Notre Dame College, the school gave the below statement to 3News:
"It is important to acknowledge the challenges that colleges and universities across the country are facing. Notre Dame College is not exempt from these challenges, which include a shrinking pool of college-aged students and growing costs. In response to these challenges, we have been engaged in strategic planning and thoughtful discussions with our stakeholders regarding our future. We want to assure you that our primary focus remains on our mission, which we have upheld for the past 100 years, and on serving our students in the best way possible. We expect to have more information to share by the end of this academic year."
Last month, Cleveland State University officials confirmed to 3News that leaders from CSU and Notre Dame College met on several occasions last fall to discuss Cleveland State potentially absorbing the struggling Roman Catholic school. The story was first reported by Amy Morona of Signal Cleveland.
On Feb. 16, Smetanka and Bradford Eason wrote the following letter to the college's community:
"Notre Dame College (NDC), with its rich history and commitment to academic excellence, has been a cornerstone of our community for more than 100 years. However, as we have shared, like many higher education institutions across the country, NDC has experienced challenges due to higher costs and a shrinking pool of college-aged students.
"These circumstances prompted a strategic planning process that has been underway for several months. Driving our planning efforts is our unwavering commitment to ensuring our students have access to a high-quality education.
"We have evaluated various options and partnership opportunities. Our work is ongoing and will lead to a final decision soon.
"We know this period of uncertainty can be unsettling. While specifics are still under development, we want to reassure students that our goal is to enable each student to successfully complete their degree in a timely manner.
"We will reach out directly to you in the near future to share the results of our planning efforts and details regarding the future of NDC. Thank you for your continued patience and support."
Reactions from students and staff
Lisa Mobley, a biology lab technician at the college, spoke with 3News shortly after she and other employees learned of the closure.
"It's more painful than just, you know, I don't have a paycheck," she said. "At this point, it's hard to leave this place."
Over the years, Notre Dame has become known for being rich in athletics and bringing many student-athletes to South Euclid, such as cheerleading transfer Sarah Walkuski.
"I started crying, because I made a lot of new friends here," she told us of the moment she found out the news. "And making new friends is kind of hard when you go to a new school."
For others, like football players Joshua Williams and Carson Heidecker, NDC was their home away from home.
"My plan, eventually, is to go back home to Florida to strive for my goals," Williams, a cornerback, said.
"When you sign your letter of intent here, it's like, 'I want to graduate from Notre Dame College. I want a degree from here,'" Heidecker, an offensive lineman from nearby Columbia Station, added. "All of our friends, we've kind of become like men and women here. And now kind of all [of] the sudden, we've got to go somewhere else."
That connection also exists for faculty and staff.
"Most of the people who work here at the college have been here for a long time," Mobley said. "They're very committed to the students, they're very committed to the college, and they're very upset that it's going to close."
What about South Euclid?
"We sadly acknowledge the potential closure of this revered and historic institution that has been an integral part of our city's identity for nearly 101 years," Mayor Georgine Welo said in a statement. "Together, we will work to honor the legacy of Notre Dame College and keep South Euclid a great place to 'Come Together & Thrive.'"
South Euclid City Councilwoman Sara Continenza represents Ward 3, which includes not just NDC, but an estimated 500-1,000 employees who provide income tax revenue as well as about 1,400 students who shop and rent in the area.
"It's definitely sad, shocking, and devastating, all at once," Continenza told WKYC. "We get a lot of our revenue from the taxpayer, the homeowners, so the housing market will shift. There are a lot of renters because of the university that will likely not be here anymore."
First founded in Cleveland, it wasn't until 1928 that Notre Dame College moved to its 48-acre location in South Euclid. It became an area staple, with a timeless motto we all remember of, "Changing the world, one student at a time."
Today, barring a miracle, the impending closure will be one of the biggest challenges for the east side suburb.
"We will rise out of this, and I just want to send that message," Continenza declared. "Do not lose hope. We are going to make something beautiful out of this."