At what would have been its 200th anniversary, Casenovia College, a small private institution in central New York announced that it would “cease classes at the end of the spring 2023 semester. and work toward closure prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester.” The college cited inflationary pressures and slumping enrollment as well as “uncertainty in the bond and stock markets,” which they say impacted their ability to repay a $25 million dollar bond payment due in October of this year.
President David Bergh wrote in a message to alumni Wednesday. “We remain committed to providing support and information to our students, faculty, staff and alumni” and claim to be providing updates on their website (https://www.cazenovia.edu/). What is notable is that, according to IHE, “Cazenovia has entered into a teach-out agreement with nine New York institutions to absorb students beginning in the fall 2023 semester: Daemen University, Elmira College, Excelsior University, Hilbert College, Keuka College, LeMoyne College, the State University of New York College at Oneonta, Utica University and Wells College.”
Obviously, although we understand the issues and concerns that students at Cazenovia face, we are also very interested in hearing what has been going on in terms of the Cazenovia faculty and professional staff, and if and how they have been included in these discussions and what steps have been taken to “thank them for their support over the years,” as President Bergh wrote in a message to alumni (there is a link on the website for “Faculty & Staff Q&A,” however access to that information is password protected)., however it appears that most of which is being reported is the impact on the students. In fact, some articles don’t even mention Caszenovia faculty or professional staff. There is also no mention of shared governance or academic integrity or freedom. This is a glaring error as far as the AAUP is concerned.
Equally concerning, Cazenovia is not the only college to announce a closure this year, or even this week.
Cazenovia’s announcement: Cazenovia College To Permanently Close After Spring Semester | Cazenovia College
Higher Ed article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/12/08/cazenovia-college-close-2023#.Y5IBFuFqZyU.link
Chronicle article: https://www.chronicle.com/article/citing-financial-headwinds-and-enrollment-woes-a-small-college-says-it-will-close?cid=gen_sign_in
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