Montclair, Bloomfield College Merger; How Would It Impact Students?

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two neighbors in Essex County are about to become one, if a planned merger between Montclair State University and Bloomfield College gets final approval.

On Wednesday, administrators at the two colleges announced that their boards have authorized their presidents to sign an agreement and plan of merger, setting up the board for a new entity with a new name: “Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.”

The potential merger is still pending a series of reviews and approvals by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), and other accreditors and regulators, as well as action by the state Legislature.

Here are two key things that students should know about the potential merger, university officials said:

TIMELINE – “Bloomfield College will continue to operate independently, but in close collaboration with Montclair State University, through the 2022-2023 academic year, and until it is officially part of the university. The goal is for the merger to be completed on or before June 30, 2023.”

BLOOMFIELD STUDENTS, STAFF – “Bloomfield students enrolled at the time of the merger will be able to continue their education without interruption and without additional costs. In addition, Montclair State University will make every effort to provide employment opportunities for Bloomfield College's current employees.”

This week’s news didn’t come as a complete surprise; Montclair State has been reaching out to its neighbor since Bloomfield College announced it was having serious financial struggles in 2021. Read More: NJ College Facing Grim Future Without Financial Aid

According to administrators, the 153-year-old college has been seeing a decade-long decline in enrollment – a serious problem because tuition is its primary source of revenue. Bloomfield College isn't alone; many small, private liberal arts colleges in the Northeast and across the country have been facing similar challenges.

After Bloomfield College publicly announced it was looking to make a “strategic partnership” that could help turn its finances around, it saw “numerous inquiries” of aid from interested institutions, administrators said – but the most promising came from Montclair State University.

In December 2021, the presidents of both institutions signed a non-binding letter of intent to pursue a permanent relationship, such as a merger or an affiliation, if they can reach “mutually agreeable terms.” And last March, Montclair State University's board of trustees authorized MSU to provide financial support to Bloomfield College if it needs emergency funding to stay open for the 2022-23 academic year.

• See related article: Bloomfield College Finds Key Financial Ally In Montclair State

Bloomfield College serves a unique role in North Jersey. More than 81 percent of its students are people of color, nearly 70 percent are Pell Grant eligible, and the median family income is below $33,000.

Meanwhile, Bloomfield College is the only four-year college in New Jersey recognized as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and Minority Serving Institution (MSI). More than half of its students identify themselves as first-generation and are the first in their families to enroll in college.

• See related article: Bloomfield College Gets $3M Grant To Educate Black Students
• See related article: $200K Will Boost Hispanic Biology Students At Bloomfield College

It’s a mission that will endure at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, officials said.

Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell said administrators intend for the college to continue to offer a “transformative education with an emphasis on first-generation students from a diversity of backgrounds, empowering them to attain academic, personal and professional excellence in a multicultural and global society.”

“Students enrolled at Bloomfield College will benefit from a distinctive educational environment offering a supportive, small college experience enhanced by the resources of a comprehensive public research university,” Koppell said.

“This partnership could serve as a new national model for how institutions with similar missions can innovate through integration, and become partners in ensuring student success instead of competitors,” Koppell added.

Bloomfield President Marcheta Evans shared her peer’s enthusiasm.

“Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will support and serve our current and future students by providing a transformative educational experience with access to the university's abundant resources,” Evans said.

‘HARNESSING THE POWER OF HIGHER EDUCATION’

Earlier this year, state legislators showed support for Montclair's work with Bloomfield College by allocating $12.5 million to Bloomfield, helping to ensure it can continue serving its students through the 2022-2023 academic year. Read More: Bloomfield College Will Spare Students A Tuition Hike, Report Says

News of the potential merger saw praise from several New Jersey lawmakers who represent the area. They included:

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz – “I am a firm believer that access to high quality education can change the trajectory and outcomes of everyone's life. It is wonderful to see two institutions that are national leaders in driving social mobility for the students they serve come together to further ensure student success. Students who attend both Bloomfield and Montclair are making an investment in themselves that they hope will change the course of their lives, and by joining in this new partnership, the schools are making that investment that much more impactful.”

Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Sandra Cunningham – “This partnership is a critical enhancement to the higher education ecosystem in New Jersey. I am proud to support the vision of two Presidents who are coming together to ensure students from underserved populations will have the opportunity to truly change the trajectory of their lives for generations to come.”

Senator Kristin Corrado – “I am pleased to see Bloomfield College and Montclair State University coming together to help students both now and in the future harness the power of higher education to change their lives.”

Assemblywoman and Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee Mila Jasey – “I could not be more pleased that two minority-serving institutions are working together in this manner. Montclair State University is New Jersey's largest Hispanic-Serving Institution and Bloomfield College is the state's lone four-year Predominantly Black Institution. The outstanding leadership of Presidents Marcheta Evans and Jonathan Koppell has crafted creative ideas and put generous state funding approved by the Legislature to good use, and the result is an innovative partnership. Their tireless efforts to make this a reality are an inspiration to the higher education landscape in New Jersey, and my heartfelt and sincere congratulations go to each of these venerable institutions and their tremendous leaders.”

Assemblywoman and Budget Committee Chair Eliana Pintor Marin – “Communities of color deserve the opportunity to change the course of their lives and of the lives of their families, so I am happy to support the financial allocation approved in the Governor's budget that furthers this important partnership. I am proud to support two institutions with similar missions coming together to uplift these traditionally underserved communities.”

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo – “I am honored to be part of this important partnership coming to fruition, and want to extend my gratitude to Governor Murphy and my fellow legislators for believing in this critically important initiative. It is wonderful to know that the communities served by Bloomfield College will be able to continue their academic pursuits, and that future students will have the opportunity to do so as part of a new educational experience.”

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin – “From its humble beginnings as a German Theological School founded by the Presbytery of Newark to becoming one of the finest private colleges in the country, for nearly two centuries, Bloomfield College has served New Jersey's best and brightest. The collaboration with Montclair State University, aligning with a school with similar educational values, I am proud to see Bloomfield College's name and mission will carry forward. Together, they will continue to serve the diverse population of students and prepare them for future success.”

Assemblyman Kevin Rooney – “Education is a powerful tool that can change a person's life. By establishing this partnership, Montclair State University and Bloomfield College are giving more students the chance to have access to all that a college education can provide.”

Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake – “This partnership is about investing in our young people, and continuing to provide life-changing educational opportunities for students who want to make a difference in the world. I am proud to see two institutions stay true to the missions that have educated generations of students, and I applaud Presidents Evans and Koppell for their forward-looking leadership in making this new educational model a reality.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. – “I am thrilled to see two pillars of Essex County come together to ensure the success of students. This county is a wonderful place to live, work and go to school, and this new partnership between Bloomfield College and Montclair State University will only make our community stronger.”

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