{"id":924,"date":"2024-03-02T12:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-02T20:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/?p=924"},"modified":"2024-03-02T12:53:01","modified_gmt":"2024-03-02T20:53:01","slug":"town-hall-on-woodbury-university-reveals-key-information-on-merger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/02\/town-hall-on-woodbury-university-reveals-key-information-on-merger\/","title":{"rendered":"Town Hall on Woodbury University Reveals Key Information on Merger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Opinions are diverse on the integration of Woodbury University into the University of Redlands, but the merger is set to proceed as planned. Speaking to the audience at the town hall on Jan. 24, University President Krista Newkirk gave a detailed explanation of the rationale behind this decision and answered key questions about what the merger would mean for students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in attendance at the town hall was the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences Justin Rose, Vice President for Finance Kevin Dyerly, Associate Provost for Faculty & Academic Innovation Anne Cavender, and others. Meanwhile, Sharon Townsend, Senior Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, represented Woodbury University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, Why Seek A Merger At All? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Newkirk, it\u2019s about improving the student experience, expanding opportunities, and increasing the value of a University of Redlands degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, when we look at a merger we really think about some of the necessary elements, like are they aligned with our mission? Do we have good cultural alignment?\u201d Newkirk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike for-profit mergers, Newkirk explained, those between non-profit institutions are not driven by a need to make money but rather to save on money by operating more efficiently and taking advantage of economies of scale, which in this case could benefit students by making tuition more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is really a realization that two institutions, when they come together, can complement each other,\u201d Newkirk said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Why Woodbury University? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The greatest strength of Woodbury University lies in their art-related programs. According to the presentation, Woodbury is most known for their Architecture degree with the highest number of students in the university enrolling in its School of Architecture. Top majors also include Graphic Design, Interior Design and Game Design, where 323 of Woodbury\u2019s students are enrolled in the School of Media, Culture and Design. In addition, the university is located near major film studios, which creates valuable career and internship opportunities in the entertainment industry for its students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These opportunities, not the location, are the main attraction for Redlands students, Newkirk said. Out of the 97 responses to the student survey sent out on Jan. 11, 84% said they are supportive of the merger and believe the HSI and AAPI Serving status is a bonus. The Woodbury major most anticipated by Redlands students is Interior Design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A comparison between Woodbury University and the University of Redlands reveals other key similarities, as well as differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Woodbury<\/strong><\/td>Redlands<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Non-profit<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Fully accredited<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Total student body<\/td>898<\/td>3,222 <\/td><\/tr>
Student to faculty ratio<\/td>8:1<\/td>13:1<\/td><\/tr>
Percentage of students receiving financial aid<\/td>96%<\/td>93%<\/td><\/tr>
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Hispanic-Serving Institution<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Undergraduate and graduate major<\/td>30<\/td>70+<\/td><\/tr>
Student organizations<\/td>30+<\/td>100+<\/td><\/tr>
Year founded<\/td>1884<\/td>1907<\/td><\/tr>
Residential Halls<\/td>2<\/td>12<\/td><\/tr>
Graduation requirement<\/td>Internship program<\/td>Volunteer program<\/td><\/tr>
Athletics<\/td>No <\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Information about Woodbury University comes from the town hall, while information about the University of Redlands is taken from the university\u2019s website as well as from Stephanie Johnson, senior director of Strategic Communications. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is It All Just Smooth-Sailing From Here?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not quite, according to Newkirk. From this point in time, until Woodbury University officially becomes part of the University of Redlands, many long and complicated procedures must be completed. In particular, the Department of Education must sign off on the merger and approve that the process does not harm any students. This is the part of the journey that will take the most time, \u201cprobably 12 months or longer,\u201d Newkirk said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there are internal challenges that would need to be sorted out. The question of curriculum is a notably important one. On one hand, Woodbury\u2019s General Education requirements are different from Redlands\u2019, while on the other hand, there are overlapping programs that would be integrated together. Newkirk discussed a possible solution to this problem, \u201cwe might have some of our faculty teaching there or vice versa,\u201d but additional concerns arose in the Q&A portion of the town hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to a student\u2019s question on whether there would be layoffs, Newkirk explained that she couldn\u2019t ensure there wouldn\u2019t be any layoffs, but because the overlap between programs are small, it is hoped the layoffs would be minimal. Sharon Townsend, the representative from Woodbury, also added that any such layoff would be handled in the most \u201crespectful and humane\u201d way possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, for the majority of faculty members at Redlands the challenges revolve around changes to the teaching modality and changes in curricula – a conversation that continues to be the point of contention in the merger process. According to Newkirk, the result from the faculty survey was \u201cabout 50-50\u201d in support of the merger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A forthcoming story on The Redlands Bulldog will take a deeper dive into the complicated ways this change both affects and presents opportunities for faculty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the students\u2019 side, care would be taken to ensure students\u2019 experience remains uninterrupted; whether that be in terms of degree requirement or tuition, Newkirk said. The exact details of how that goal would be accomplished is a work-in-progress among faculty and staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though they are still in the rough draft stage, some possible plans include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n