Mercy Announces Plans to Register Nearly 1,700 Students, Approval to Teach Academic Programs, Offers to Hire 70 Faculty and Staff, Commitment to Similar or Lower Tuition and New Leases for Three Former CNR Campuses
Following the March 2019 agreement between Mercy College and The College of New Rochelle (CNR), Mercy College is pleased to announce it plans to register nearly 1,700 CNR students for classes that will start this fall. The College has also received approval to teach most CNR academic programs, has made offers to hire 70 faculty and staff and has negotiated leases to use three CNR Campuses. In addition, Mercy has committed to providing similar or lower tuition rates for students. Together, these efforts will provide a seamless pathway for CNR students to continue their education uninterrupted after CNR ceases academic operations on August 10, 2019 and holds its final commencement ceremony on August 20, 2019.
The preparation to take on nearly 1,700 CNR students has been unprecedented. Mercy continues to work closely with students to facilitate their transfer and ensure their credits are accepted and applied to the appropriate degree paths. Mercy is also ensuring tuition will likely be the same or in many cases less, reviewing student eligibility for financial aid awards including federal, state and institutional awards. Mercy will provide on-site student support services and is communicating with students to provide timely updates. Mercy has worked tirelessly to eliminate obstacles that would hinder CNR students from continuing their education.
“Mercy College’s ability to provide an uninterrupted pathway for nearly 1,700 CNR students to earn their college degrees is a testament to the strength of our institution and of our ability to ensure the best outcome for students,” said Timothy Hall, President of Mercy College. “We are eager to welcome these students to the Mercy family this fall and would like to thank CNR President William Latimer and his dedicated team for helping us achieve this momentous success.”
In order to provide educational and instructional continuity, Mercy has gained approval from several accrediting bodies including the New York State Education Department to offer many new programs including a M.S. Family Nurse Practitioner, an Advanced Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner and a B.S. Accelerated Second Degree Nursing. Additionally, to teach the students formerly in the CNR School of New Resources, Mercy has established the Center for New Resources-Adult Education to continue the B.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences Program. Mercy is still waiting for approval from the Middle States Commission for Higher Education to teach at the three College of New Rochelle locations, and from the U.S. Department of Education to offer financial aid at those locations. The College has also made job offers to 70 CNR faculty and staff in addition to numerous support staff for facilities, IT, operations and campus safety.
In addition, Mercy has negotiated leases for three former CNR campuses including New Rochelle, Rosa Parks in Harlem and the Brooklyn Campus in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn for the upcoming academic year. Mercy College will be providing support at each location to assist with the transition, including health and wellness support, on-site academic and student engagement. In New Rochelle, Mercy will continue to offer the residential living options, food services and shuttle buses between the New Rochelle location and the Metro-North Station, as well as the New Rochelle location and the Mercy Bronx Campus.
As of August 12, 2019, Mercy College is the repository for transcripts and records for former CNR students and has hired Eileen Niedzwiecki, formerly of CNR, to manage CNR alumni relations.