Saint Joe Rector Details Move to Two-Year Model
The rector of Saint Joseph’s College is elaborating on the beleaguered school’s decision to switch to a two-year model and a proposed partnership with Marian University in Indianapolis. Father Barry Fischer says the move provides a more feasible path for the school to return after campus activities were suspended in early 2017.
The Saint Joe Board of Trustees last month approved the adoption of a two-year model with partner institutions as a first step to bring the school back into operation. The board also approved the college’s efforts to formally pursue a partnership with Marian University, which Fischer says expressed the most interest after conversations with other potential partners throughout Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.
Fischer says the needs to continue as a four-year, independent college were unrealistic due to the school’s limited resources and changing trends in higher education.
"Our research into the current state of higher education revealed some critical dynamics, among them the looming student debt crisis, students’ desire for more professional educational programming, and the growing numbers of underserved populations left out of the traditional four-year bachelor’s degree pathway," Fischer said in a post on Facebook. "These factors led us to conclude that returning as a two-year, partnered institution is the first step to reviving and positioning the College for a sustainable future in post-secondary education."
Fischer adds the school will use the Core Curriculum, adapted to a two-year model that will also allow flexibility to include a major. You can view the full post from Fischer below:
Also last month, Saint Joseph’s announced plans for an inaugural fundraising event to support the renovation of Schwietermann Hall residence hall on the Rensselaer campus. The event, which will feature former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, is set for June 9.