Earlier this month, Benedictine University leadership, the University’s Board of Trustees, and the Board of the Springfield College in Illinois examined Benedictine University Springfield campus site’s suitability to meet the needs of nontraditional students. Although it was a difficult decision, the University’s leaders determined that the Springfield property, at 1500 N. 5th St., will be put up for sale.
At the conclusion of the 2018 spring semester, courses will no longer be taught on the Springfield branch campus.
Adult degree-completion and graduate students attend classes at the Springfield branch campus and at employer-based and community locations. The aging Springfield campus has a long list of capital improvement needs.
“With that in mind, we had to ask ourselves how to best provide for our students who deserve to attend classes in accessible, comfortable, and equipped-for-teaching classrooms,” said Benedictine University President Michael Brophy, PhD. “That’s why we will continue to teach at community sites apart from the Springfield campus.”
To facilitate this change for its students, Benedictine’s advising team will meet with the Springfield campus students during March, April, and May to plan the transition to other existing area sites.
Following graduation in May, the imminent sale of the Springfield property will unfortunately result in a workforce reduction. Some employees will continue to serve the University, and severance packages will be provided to displaced employees.
“The University greatly appreciates the individual contributions of the Springfield faculty and staff and their dedication to our students’ education, said Dr. Brophy.
University leadership carefully considered the impact the decision to sell the Springfield property would have on students, employees, alumni, donors, and the community. It was evident that the sale of the Springfield campus property will allow the University to invest in programs that benefit students enrolled at our Springfield-area sites, in Lisle, and in Mesa, Arizona. Benedictine University is committed to growing its enrollment and prioritizing its work to strengthen the University now and into the future.