Goodwin gets key OK to take over UB
BRIDGEPORT — The New England Commission on Higher Education has given Goodwin University its blessing to take over the bulk of the University of Bridgeport.
The acquisition, which still awaits a fiscal sign-off by Citizen’s Bank, was announced Wednesday in a joint statement between NECHE, the accrediting body for the region, and officials from UB and Goodwin, of East Hartford.
Paier College of Hamden, which is planning to acquire UB’s art programs, including graphic and interior design, is a for-profit entity and answers to a different accrediting body.
Paier President Joseph Bierbaum said in a recent interview that his reviews are still underway.
Paier’s acquisition represents about 200 students, according to Bierbaum.
Goodwin gets the rest, some 4,100 students — which will more than double its enrollment — and nearly all of UB’s real estate.
Goodwin President Mark Scheinberg refused to immediately release the substantive change plan that was provided to NECHE, nor plans that were submitted to the state Office of Higher Education.
Although Goodwin will keep all of UB’s main programs, some degrees, involving about 100 students, will be discontinued, according to Goodwin Provost Danielle Wilkin. Goodwin officials won’t say which ones until affected students are notified of program completion plans.
The deal also still needs approval from the U.S. Department of Education and program accreditors.
The real estate purchase is expected to be completed before the end of the month. The actual changeover to what Scheinberg is calling the “New UB” will occur on July 1, 2021.
Scheinberg still won’t confirm what the final price tag is but said reports over the summer that put the combined price tag at about $25 million were not out of the ballpark.
“This is the most complex, difficult process I have have ever been through in my entire career,” Scheinberg said on Wednesday in a phone interview.
Despite lingering concerns from some elected city officials who complained in September they were kept in the dark about the plan before it was announced, Scheinberg said Goodwin is doing an incredible service to the municipality and the long-struggling UB.
Not everyone sees it that way. City Council Member Jorge Cruz, whose district includes UB, said on Wednesday he remains very disturbed and feels betrayed by the takeover.
“It is a betrayal of the community as far as I am concerned,” Cruz said. “Specifically the minority community.”
That the university will keep the same name is small consolation, Cruz added. He vowed to fight the merger. He is not yet sure how.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim had a different view.
“Congratulations to all involved,” Ganim said. “This reaffirms the commitment and vision that UB, Goodwin and Paier all have this great center for higher learning in Bridgeport.”
The arrangement, Ganim said, is a “model for other colleges and universities around the country.”
The NECHE approval was announced a day after UB officials put out an appeal to alumni asking for donations to the 92year-old university.
Scheinberg called the arrangement less of a partnership and more of an outright purchase that will allow UB to remain as a separate non-profit subsidiary of Goodwin.
UB will get to keep its name and its federal identification number — important to international students, whom Scheinberg said would have been thrown into limbo if UB had changed into a new entity.
Although UB will have its own Board of Trustees, its decisions will be based on parameters set by Goodwin, which will also be in charge of the purse strings.
To further emphasize that the two universities will be distinct entities, Wilkens said the eventual plan is to have the Bridgeport campus host some “Goodwin” programs and the East Hartford campus host some “UB” offerings.
The takeover was introduced as more of a partnership in June between Goodwin, Paier and Sacred Heart University of Fairfield. Sacred Heart pulled out in October.
Goodwin serves about 3,500 students. Paier is a tiny, for-profit college that focuses on visual arts in Hamden.
Scheinberg said it was important to bring Paier into the mix because Goodwin’s focus is more on preparing students for immediate jobs available in the workforce.
“Our thing is to get 80 percent placement rate within 90 days of graduation at a living wage,” Scheinberg said.
Scheinberg called the substantive change document approved by NECHE unique.
“This could provide a guide for many institutions in the future,” Scheinberg said.
In a brief statement lacking details, NECHE said that at its meeting on Nov. 20, 2020, it voted to continue Goodwin’s accreditation and also approved a substantive change proposal that will result in a change of ownership for UB.
“There remain a number of steps ahead that the Commission will monitor carefully,” according to the statement. “The Commission commends Goodwin University and University of Bridgeport for their partnership in service to their students, faculty, staff, alumni and to their communities.”
Larry Schall, president of the commission, said on Wednesday that each collaboration between universities is different.
“NECHE has certainly approved a number of complex ones,” Schall said. It’s website now has a policy devoted to complex arrangements such as the one being formed at UB.
Scheinberg said the approval moves Goodwin one step closer on a path to building a new future for UB that benefits the students, faculty, staff and communities of both universities.
In a prepared statement, Stephen Healey, UB’s interim president, said he was delighted with the progress made and said UB would be working under the Goodwin umbrella.
To aid in the process, a transition team made up of a handful of officials from Goodwin and UB has been developed to work on the shift of programs to the new UB.
The new UB will have all of its current major programs including business, education, engineering, nursing, counseling and chiropractic. It will continue to recruit international students and has promised to build a more efficient admissions process.
There is no plans to sell of UB property, Scheinberg said. UB has already sold some property to the city to build a new Bassick High School.