Westminster Foundation To Hold Meeting On Choir College

The Westminster Foundation will host a public meeting to discuss Rider University’s decision to make the Westminster Choir College part of its Lawrenceville campus instead of selling it. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., in the assembly room at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street in Princeton.

At the meeting, the advocacy group whose mission is to save the college will discuss how Rider’s plan will impact the college, the community and the taxpayers, and discuss what the possible alternatives are. Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting live can follow the livestream on Facebook.

In July, Rider called off its proposed $40 million sale of the college to China-based Kaiwen Education. Instead, the choir college will become part of the university's existing Lawrenceville campus in September 2020.

Rider will continue to operate Westminster Choir College, the Westminster Conservatory and the Westminster Continuing Education programs in Princeton during the 2019-20 academic year, according to university officials.

Rider and Kaiwen will explore the possibilities of an alternative relationship, officials said. They will work together over the next three years on academic and artistic initiatives under a formal agreement. Read more here: Rider Calls Off Choir College Sale; Campus Moves To Princeton

The announcement ended a lengthy and comprehensive process that sought a buyer to operate Westminster on its campus in Princeton. Read more here: Westminster Foundation Opposes Selling Or Moving Westminster Choir College

In 2017, Rider commenced an intensive worldwide search for a partner for Westminster Choir College that began with 281 potential suitors and review of 13 formal proposals of interest, five of which expressed interest in Rider's preferred option of maintaining and operating Westminster in Princeton. No U.S. higher education institution expressed interest in operating Westminster in Princeton, university officials said.

The search came at the recommendation of a Special Committee the Rider Board of Trustees convened to study ways to strengthen the University, which included the potential consolidation of the two campuses. Read more here: Rider Sells WCC To Chinese Company For $40 Million

Recognizing the strong traditions and history associated with the Princeton campus, the university chose to search for a suitable partner that would preferably commit to operating Westminster in Princeton, officials said.

The decision also comes after the State Attorney General's Office raised some questions about the sale of the choir college to Kaiwen Education. Questions from the Attorney General centered around the reasoning for the sale, how the sides arrived at the price, Rider's efforts to sell the college to another education institution, why Rider would sell to a newly incorporated non-profit entity in New Jersey and steps Rider took to ensure Kaiwen would continue Westminster's educational traditions and curriculum, among others.

The attorney general's office also questioned what Rider would do with the money it makes off the sale and how the sale is in the best interests of the students and faculty. Read more here: State Raises Concerns Over Rider's Sale Of Choir College

Despite its world-class reputation, Westminster Choir College has faced deficits throughout its history, including the era that preceded and led to its merger with Rider in 1992. Since then, Rider has made significant investments in Westminster Choir College, including improvements to facilities, support for performances and tours, and significant financial aid for students, officials said.

See related:
Rider Could Lose Millions On Westminster Sale, Report Says
Union Challenges Layoffs After Sale Of Westminster Choir College
Rider's Sale Of Choir College Delayed: Report