Taylor University officials announced today the discontinuation of the traditional undergraduate program on its Taylor University Fort Wayne (TUFW) branch campus, effective May 31, 2009, and that some yet-to-be-determined programs may be moved to the main campus in Upland.
The announcement was made to TUFW faculty, staff and students today by Dr. Eugene B. Habecker, Taylor’s president, during campus meetings. This does not affect Taylor’s growing online learning program, which numbers nearly 600 students. Neither does it impact Taylor’s Fort Wayne-based MBA program, or the WBCL Radio Network.
The discontinuation of the TUFW undergraduate program impacts:
- 299 full-time and 38 part-time degree-seeking students (213 who live on campus).
- 18 full-time and 24 part-time/adjunct faculty members.
- 56 full-time and 22 part-time staff members.
Richard Gygi, Taylor’s Board chairman, cited the inability to create a successful TUFW business model as the chief factor in the Board’s decision, made during its 2008 fall meeting last week. “After 16 years of significant effort and investment, we concluded that we have been unable to develop the TUFW operation into one that is financially self-sustaining,” he said. “After much deliberation, prayer and consideration, the Taylor Board of Trustees voted to end the traditional undergraduate program at the end of the current school year on May 31, 2009.”
Habecker said that since its inception in 1992 when Taylor University acquired the former Summit Christian College, TUFW has operated at an average deficit of $1 million a year, which has been subsidized from Taylor’s Upland campus budget – resulting in more than $15 million in total subsidies. “Even with the generous contributions of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, we arrived at the conclusion that the losses were too great to continue with the traditional undergraduate model for TUFW,” he said.
In addition to ending the traditional TUFW undergraduate program, Taylor’s Board tasked the Taylor administration with the following responsibilities:
- Encourage TUFW undergraduate students to finish their degrees at Taylor’s Upland campus.
- Support affected faculty and staff during this time of transition.
- Study which programs at TUFW may be consolidated into the undergraduate program on Taylor’s Upland campus.
- Explore the potential of future Taylor University academic programs in the Fort Wayne community.
- Develop recommendations for alternative uses for the Fort Wayne facility.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions our Board of Trustees has ever made,” Gygi stated.
“Our goal is to do everything within our power to see that the members of our Taylor community are able to continue their lives with the least disruption possible,” added Habecker.
“I observed all of the Board of Trustee deliberations and these men and women exhibited exceptional boardsmanship in making this very difficult decision,” said Dr. Duane Kilty, TUFW chancellor. “While this decision brings a sense of great sorrow, I accept and support it.
“For the past two-and-a-half years, Joni and I have had the privilege of serving the TUFW community. We have grown in our love and respect for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends,” Kilty continued. “During the coming days, we will be dedicated to ensuring to the best of our ability that these men and women are able to continue their educations and careers. We covet the prayers of our neighbors, friends and families.”
“The Board of Trustees and I highly commend the leadership of Chancellor Duane Kilty and his wife Joni, the dedicated efforts of faculty and staff, the commitment of students and parents, the generosity of alumni and friends, and the support of the greater Fort Wayne community,” said Habecker. “Taylor University continues to embrace the alumni of its branch campus as well as alumni from its predecessors, Fort Wayne Bible College and Summit Christian College.”
Habecker said that Taylor’s main campus in Upland is academically strong and financially sound, a fact evidenced by its ranking as the number one Midwest baccalaureate university by U.S.News and World Report for the past two years.
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