MacMurray and Urbana

[IndyValpo]

Two small midwestern college already in financial peril have announced they are closing.

I fear we will see this continue to happen.

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MacMurray was one of two very old colleges in the city of Jacksonville, IL (population 18,749). The other college in Jacksonville (45 minutes west of Springfield on I-72, halfway between Springfield and Quincy, IL) is Illinois College. IC's enrollment is about 1,000 while MacMurray had dropped to 500. At the time I was in Peoria in the early 90's the two colleges were roughly equal in size. They were on opposite sides of Jacksonville but shared a street called, what else, College Ave. Illinois College was established in 1829 while MacMurray was established in 1846, 13 years before Valpo, and in an area that was much more rural at that time. Jacksonville also includes the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

An interesting bit of history about MacMurray College from the lincolninjacksonville.com website

James Jaquess, the first president of the Illinois Conference Female Academy, now MacMurray College, once lived in this house. Jaquess, a Methodist minister, first met Lincoln when he was preaching and Lincoln was practicing law in central Illinois. During the Civil War Lincoln entrusted Jaquess with important missions. In 1863 Jaquess met with Confederate officials to discuss ending the war. The following year, Jaquess met with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who declared that the South would accept peace only if it could remain independent.

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Urbana University closing explained on their website.

https://www.urbana.edu/closure/general-faqs

Why is the Urbana University Branch Campus Closing?

Like many small rural campuses across the country, the Urbana University Branch Campus has experienced low enrollments for many years. Franklin University's efforts to stabilize the Urbana campus have met with some success in recent years. However, the global coronavirus pandemic has added a level of stress and uncertainty to Urbana's prospects that make it impossible to sustain, compelling Franklin University to discontinue physical operations on the branch campus effective after the May Spring 2020 semester has ended. As a result of this decision, academic programming will be moved to Franklin University, while athletic offerings and on-site administrative services will cease at the branch campus.

When will the Urbana University Branch Campus close?

The Urbana University branch campus will close in May after the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester.

What will happen to the campus, buildings, furniture, equipment and other assets?

Our highest priority is to ensure students experience a seamless transition of their academic studies. Over the coming weeks, all efforts will be focused on providing support for our students and employees as we implement this transition. Therefore, at this time, no decision has been made about the future of the physical campus. When a decision has been made, updated information will be made available.

What will happen to contracts currently held with vendors supplying products or services to the Urbana University Branch Campus?

Vendor contracts will be honored through the date of branch campus closure or the contract termination date, whichever date is earlier.

Who can current vendors contact for questions regarding their contracts?

Vendors may contact Rick Sunderman, campus operations supervisor, or their contract contact as specified in the contract.

If campus is closed, what arrangements will be made to allow vendors to pick up property currently on campus?

Contact information will be posted on the website for vendors to arrange property pickup.

How will the Miller Art Center and the artwork currently on exhibit be impacted by this decision?

A final decision has not been made regarding the Miller Art Center. Officials are looking into all aspects of this subject and will confer with its benefactors to make a final decision. Updated information will be posted here as a decision is made.

Will the Johnny Appleseed Museum be impacted by this decision due to its location within Brown Hall?

A final decision has not been made regarding the Johnny Appleseed Museum's current location on the Urbana branch campus. Officials are looking into all aspects of this question and will post an update when  a decision is made.

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WHIO Channel 7 Dayton





Coronavirus: Urbana University closure to impact more than 300 jobs

By: Breaking News Staff
Updated: April 24, 2020 - 4:18 PM

URBANA — The closure of Urbana University will impact 321 jobs at the university, the majority coming from adjunct faculty and student workers, according to a WARN notice filed with the state by the university's parent school Franklin University.

"This closing is the result of and necessitated by the unforeseen and unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic and the associated governmental orders and business interruption, which has caused a significant adverse economic impact on the University," the university wrote in the letter to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

The university said the closing will be permanent and will result in the termination of all employees, with the exception of "a small number of direct placement transfers and a few others selected to transfer to Franklin University."

The school publicly announced the closure of the Champaign County campus on Tuesday, the same day most of the terminations were scheduled to take place, according to the state notice.

Urbana University is a branch campus of Franklin University, based in Columbus.

"As a result of this decision, academic programming will be moved to Franklin University, while athletic offerings and on-site administrative roles will cease at the Urbana branch campus," the university said.

The university previously reported 111 full-time employees were impacted by the closure.

"Those who will not continue at Franklin will be offered severance packages that include outplacement assistance to help with this difficult transition," the university announced.

Urbana University currently has 1,254 students.

"Our highest priority is to ensure students experience a seamless transition of their academic studies and that our branch campus employees have the resources to make their transition as well," said Dr. David Decker, President, Franklin University. "As institutions of higher education across the country struggle to identify ways to stay open, we will do all we can to help students identify the best alternative forward to fulfill their education goals in an affordable manner."

Seventy-five percent of the students are enrolled in the College Credit Plus program, the Post-Baccalaureate Education program, the MBA-Healthcare program, and the London Correctional Institute program.

"These students will continue their studies uninterrupted and unchanged, as their instruction does not occur on the Urbana campus," the school said.

The remaining 350 students are residential and commuter students who are currently completing the semester online.

"These students will be able to complete their academic programs online through Franklin University," the university said. "Students who prefer to transfer to other institutions will be assisted in doing so. For students in the final stages of their studies, a flexible "teach out plan" (a plan for the completion of their academic program) will be developed."

Urbana University was founded in 1850 and was acquired by Franklin University in 2014.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Urbana+University/@40.1000204,-84.3220501,9z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x883f487f6bf9f339:0xcb18407c6b355453!8m2!3d40.1000204!4d-83.7617474