By Lev D. Zilbermints
BLOOMFIELD / MONTCLAIR, NJ – Bloomfield College has finally found the savior it needs to keep from closing. The proverbial knight in shining armor is Montclair State University.
Montclair State University has agreed to loan Bloomfield College the necessary funds to ensure that the College can complete the 2022-2023 school year, campus officials announced on March 23.
Bloomfield College had 1,533 students in 2021.
According to President Evans as cited by Inside Higher Education, “Our students tend to be first generation and the first in their family to attend college. Seventy-one percent of our students are Pell Grant eligible, and many work one or two jobs while taking a full credit load.”
In October 2021, Bloomfield College President Marcheta Evans went public with the institution’s financial problems. At the time, the school announced that unless financial support was found, the 2021-2022 school year would be its last. The reasons for Bloomfield College’s problems ranged from declining enrollment, increasing expenses, poor planning by the previous administration, and the strain that the coronavirus put on the college.
As was reported by Local Talk in its October 28, 2021 issue, Bloomfield College was looking at a number of different options. At the time, Bloomfield College said that it “was seeking strategic with other schools (partnership, merger, affiliation, etc.) and philanthropic support from the higher education and corporate communities to enable the four-year institution to continue its vital mission – creating educational pathways that are often not otherwise available for minority and low-income students.”
Five months since the public announcement by President Evans, things have changed for the better. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s state budget proposal will also include $5 million in tax-payer money to help offset and funds Montclair State will need to pay to keep Bloomfield College open and working, MSU University officials said.
According to Montclair State University President Jonathan G.S. Koppell, “The missions of both institutions are closely aligned. We are both committed to providing access to high-quality educational experiences to students who are often marginalized. So this response to financial adversity is borne of the conviction that together, we can make an even greater impact on the communities we serve. This is what it means to be New Jersey’s premier public service university: turning challenge into opportunity through collaboration and innovation. I look forward to working closely with President Evans to craft a strategic relationship that could serve as a model of innovation.”
Bloomfield College President Marcheta Evans expressed gratitude to the Montclair State University Board of Trustees for their help. According to President Evans, “Montclair officials, including President Koppell, toured the Bloomfield campus several times and were impressed by our students, faculty and staff as well as by our programs and facilities. Most importantly, Montclair shares our commitment to students from historically underserved populations that is our core mission.”
According to a joint state public statement released by Bloomfield College and Montclair State University, the Board of Trustees of Bloomfield College has also authorized its President and Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration to finalize and execute the interim financial support agreement.
Bloomfield’s Board Chair Vernon M. Endo said, “A future relationship would build on the strengths of both institutions and enhance academic and other opportunities for current and future students at both campuses.”
Montclair’s Board Chair Francis Cuss said, “We are committed to working together to build a relationship that would advance the missions of both institutions and create opportunities for the students and communities that we serve. The funding agreement the Trustees approved today (March 23) will be a line of credit that the College can draw upon, should it be necessary, while the details of a permanent relationship are explored.”
Answers to Questions
“Local Talk” checked Bloomfield College’s webpage, bloomfield.edu for information. The following questions and answers are quoted directly from bloomfield.edu/announcements/faqs.
THE AGREEMENT
How will the agreement with Montclair State University help Bloomfield College?
Once signed, the agreement will provide Bloomfield College with financial support, if needed, to complete the 2022-23 academic year while the College works with Montclair toward a shared goal of establishing a permanent relationship.
How might a permanent relationship with Montclair State University benefit the Bloomfield community?
Serving our students and preserving our educational mission are Bloomfield College’s priorities. After carefully evaluating several possible partners, Bloomfield determined that, for many reasons, Montclair offered a wonderful opportunity to achieve a unique, collaborative relationship. In addition to its close geographic proximity, Montclair’s commitment to minority and traditionally underserved student populations, and the breadth of its academic, athletic and arts offerings align with Bloomfield’s long held mission, making Montclair a particularly good fit for our community.
Will a permanent agreement result in a merger or acquisition of Bloomfield College?
While a number of details about the nature and structure of a long-term agreement between Bloomfield and Montclair need to be worked out, both parties are working toward a permanent relationship that supports Bloomfield’s mission and ensures that the Bloomfield legacy and name will continue.
What are the next steps? What is the timeline for decision making?
There are many details to work out as, together, Bloomfield and Montclair work toward our shared goal of establishing a permanent relationship before the start of the 2023-24 academic year. Discussions are ongoing. The College will continue to share significant updates with students, families, employees and alumni through our usual communications platforms as appropriate.
BLOOMFIELD’S FUTURE
Will Bloomfield keep its name? How will this impact Bloomfield’s mission and identity?
While a number of details about the nature and structure of a long-term relationship between Bloomfield and Montclair need to be worked out, both parties are working toward a permanent relationship that supports Bloomfield’s mission and ensures that the Bloomfield legacy and name will continue.
What will happen to the Bloomfield College campus and College-owned real estate?
This is one of the many issues that the two institutions are working to address, but the expectation is that the Bloomfield College campus will remain open as part of the relationship with Montclair.
STUDENTS
Will Bloomfield College be open during the 2022-23 academic year
Yes! Bloomfield College will conduct classes, engage in NCAA sporting events and all traditional activities, and hold commencement for the next class of Bloomfield graduates in May 2023.
Will my upcoming semesters be disrupted?
Bloomfield College will continue regular academic instruction, including all student support services, through at least the 2022-23 academic year. Bloomfield and Montclair are still working out the details of a long-term relationship between the two institutions, but a primary focus of all potential pathways is to ensure that Bloomfield’s current students have an avenue to complete their education with the least amount of disruption.
When will you know more? When will you tell us more?
A number of details about the nature and structure of a long-term agreement between Bloomfield and Montclair need to be worked out, as the two institutions work through the many complexities of such an agreement. The College will continue to share significant updates with students, families, employees and alumni through our usual communications platforms as appropriate.
What will happen to Bloomfield after the 2022-23 academic year?
While a number of details about the nature and structure of a long-term agreement between Bloomfield and Montclair need to be worked out, both parties are working toward a permanent relationship that supports Bloomfield’s mission and ensures that the Bloomfield legacy and name will continue. Any plans for a future relationship would build upon the strengths of both institutions and enhance academic and other opportunities for current and future students at both campuses. A primary focus of all potential pathways is to ensure that Bloomfield’s current students have an avenue to complete their education with the least amount of disruption.
Should I register for fall classes?
Absolutely. We encourage students to register for the fall classes and pursue their studies as planned while Bloomfield and Montclair work toward our goal of establishing a permanent relationship.
Will my scholarship be affected in fall 2022?
At this time, we expect all scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year to remain the same.
Will my athletic eligibility be impacted, and will sports teams compete in spring of 2022?
As of now, current student athletes will maintain their current eligibility status for the 2022-2023 academic year. Our athletic teams are poised to compete through spring 2023.
Will this impact athletic scholarships and recruitment?
We will be working closely with the NCAA to determine how best to proceed with current and future athletic team schedules. We will provide updates as we know more.
