The board of trustees of Marymount California Campus (MCU) has decided to shut the university permanently on August 31, 2022, the university stated on April 22, 2022.
Classes at MCU will finish at the end of the summer semester in August, according to a press release from the institution, and no new students will be admitted for the autumn semester.
According to University News, Marymount University has stated that it would now ensure that students are transitioned to other institutions and universities.
MCU had been struggling financially in recent years owing to a reduction in enrolment, increased expenditures, and the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the university, which led to university administrators not having enough resources to fund the institution’s operating needs.
“This is a very sad day for Marymount and the heritage and traditions that have been lost, both for our campus community and the local Palos Verdes neighbourhood that we have called home for more than 50 years,” said MCU president Brian Marcotte.
Marcotte went on to say that the “decision was not taken lightly,” and that the university’s priority now will be to assist students, teachers, and staff.
MCU typically enrols roughly 500 full-time students and employs 140 full-time employees, but because it will close permanently in the summer, the university indicated that it will hire a small number of workers to oversee the closing processes.
“In the meanwhile,” MCU stated, “the institution aims to support its academics and personnel in discovering new options.”
Marymount California Institution is a Catholic private university in the state of California. Marymount Palos Verdes College was founded in 1968 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. The university’s name was changed to Marymount California University in 2013.
MCU is a WASC Senior College and University Commission approved institution that offers associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. The university is listed among the best liberal arts colleges in the country by US News & World Report. MCU was also named the second safest campus in California.
Marymount has recently made certain adjustments to its COVID-19 policy, including suspending the necessity to do a daily COVID-19 check-in before visiting campus and lifting the mask mandate, while it still highly recommends mask wear inside.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are still required for all students and personnel who will be on campus until the institution’s eventual closure. It will also continue to provide free COVID-19 testing on campus every tuesday.