Montclair State, Bloomfield College Merger Finalized: What To Know

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s official: say hello to Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.

Last week, Montclair State University and Bloomfield College finalized their highly anticipated merger, which was announced in 2022 and needed to get approval from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the state secretary of higher education and the NCAA.

The merger also required approval from the New Jersey Legislature and Gov. Phil Murphy, who signed a bill giving the deal a final thumbs-up on June 30.

Here are some important things to know about the merger.

BACKGROUND

Montclair State began reaching out to its neighbor after 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 had been seeing a decade-long decline in enrollment – a serious problem because tuition was 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.

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.

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.

Montclair is New Jersey’s largest Hispanic Serving Institution, serving more Latinx students than any other university in the state.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The merger now enters the integration phase, during which a “distinctive educational experience” will be designed for the students of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, administrators say.

Over the next academic year, the future of all academic programs will be considered. During that time, the college will continue to offer courses required for Bloomfield College students to complete their existing majors and programs, and will honor the majors of all currently enrolled students.

Bloomfield will also maintain its 13 NCAA Division II athletics programs and remain the Bears, for at least the next year, unless otherwise directed by the NCAA.

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS KNOW?

Students can find more information about the merger at the Montclair State University website, or the Bloomfield College website.

Some frequently asked questions and their answers – according to school administrators – include:

Will current Bloomfield College students become part of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University? – “Yes. Students enrolled at Bloomfield College at the time of the merger will be able to continue their education without interruption and at lower tuition and fees.”

Will the same courses be offered in the 2023-24 academic year? – “Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will continue to offer courses required for Bloomfield College’s existing majors and programs.”

What will the tuition and fee charges be for Bloomfield College students? – “Because of the merger with Montclair State University, Bloomfield College intends to have the same tuition as Montclair State University, starting fall 2023. This will significantly reduce the tuition and mandatory fees that most Bloomfield College students will pay. Note: these rates reflect 2022-23 information. The Montclair State University Board of Trustees will meet in late July to set the 2023-24 rates.”

WHAT ABOUT TEACHERS?

According to administrators, Montclair State University offered employment opportunities to nearly 90 percent of Bloomfield College’s faculty and staff, most of whom will be continuing as members of the new academic community.

When the merger plans were first announced in 2022, a professor at Bloomfield College reached out to Patch with concerns about his job – and that of his peers. Read More: Merger Between MSU, Bloomfield College Has Teachers Worried, Professor Says

He wrote:

“As it stands, faculty won’t learn if they have a job after June 30, 2023, until March 1, 2022. By then it will be too late to start looking for a new job. Frankly, the late announcement in November of the impending merger has already put faculty in a tough spot. Professors typically apply for jobs in September and October. We missed those deadlines. Despite our commitment to Bloomfield College and our students, faculty and staff have been forced to start looking for jobs already. And they will probably take other offers as they arise because no retention or severance, much less job security at Montclair State, have been offered to Bloomfield faculty. If current trends continue, there won’t be any Bloomfield College community of faculty to preserve. At that point, Bloomfield College of Montclair State University will be Bloomfield College in name only. In every meaningful sense, it will have closed. Its faculty, staff and the mission they uphold — gone.”

FINANCIAL DETAILS

As part of a June 30 estimate, the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services (OLS) said it does not have sufficient information to make a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal impact of the bill that finalized the merger.

“Bloomfield College publicly released a summary of the Agreement and Plan of Merger but notes that the full agreement will not be made available until the merger has been executed. The summary provided by Bloomfield College does not include information on the anticipated costs of the proposed merger,” the OLS stated. “Similarly, Montclair State University has not publicly released information on the anticipated costs of the proposed merger.”

The OLS added:

• “Bloomfield College’s assets and liabilities will be assumed by Montclair State upon the merger. Bloomfield College listed $35.7 million in total liabilities, including $32.5 million in long-term debt, in its FY 2022 financial statements. Its assets totaled $93.9 million, including $62.5 million in property and equipment and $31.3 million in non-property assets.”
• “About 1,200 Bloomfield College students are expected to become part of Montclair State University after the merger, and between 120 and 130 Bloomfield College employees will transition to employment at Montclair State University.”

REACTIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS

Several school administrators and elected officials offered support for the merger after it was finalized. They included:

Governor Phil Murphy – “For well over a century, both Montclair State University and Bloomfield College have played important roles in providing New Jersey students with a high-quality education. This merger will allow an institution that has served countless individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds to continue offering a distinctive and transformative educational experience to its students. I commend and congratulate Montclair State University and Bloomfield College on the completion of their historic merger.”

President Jonathan Koppell – “This is a transformative moment for our students, and generations of students to come. We want to thank Governor Murphy, Secretary Bridges and the many state legislators and local officials who support the merger, as well as the oversight bodies who share our commitment to ensuring student success and preserving Bloomfield’s important mission … “As we design a new and distinctive experience for Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, we will seek to create a new national model for how institutions can come together to better serve their communities. The future of higher education is collaboration, not competition, and we hope this will serve as an example of what is possible when institutions of all shapes and sizes work together.”

Chancellor Marcheta Evans – “Today we exuberantly celebrate the result of tenacious dedication, cooperation and hard work by employees of our two strategically aligned institutions. This merger ensures that our commitment to the academic and economic success of young people from traditionally underserved communities will not only continue but will be enhanced … We believe being part of Montclair State University is overwhelmingly in the best long-term interest of current and future students, faculty, staff and our local communities here in Essex County and beyond.”

Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz – “I am a firm believer that access to high quality education can change the trajectory and outcomes of everyone’s life. With the coming together of these two national leaders in driving social mobility for the students they serve, they stand as a beacon of hope, offering more than just an education but becoming a sanctuary where dreams take flight and futures are rewritten. This is history in the making, and I applaud the leadership of both institutions for working diligently together to ensure that the future and well-being of our next generation remain the north star to everything we do.”

Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake – “I want to congratulate Marcheta Evans and Jonathan Koppell for making this partnership a reality. This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to what creative leadership can accomplish. Now, generations of students who want to make a difference in the world will continue to have access to life-changing educational opportunities. The commitment to the missions of both institutions is incredible, and I commend Presidents Evans and Koppell for seeing this through for the betterment of our young people.”

Assemblywoman and Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee Mila Jasey – “I congratulate and commend Presidents Marcheta Evans and Jonathan Koppell for reaching this incredible milestone. This is a tremendous moment for New Jersey and for higher education in our state, and I cannot wait to see how this innovative partnership evolves under their creative leadership.”

Senator Renee Burgess – “I am proud to support this history-making moment for New Jersey. Congratulations to both institutions on reaching this incredible moment.”

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin – “These two institutions with similar missions coming together in this manner is a wonderful way to continue Bloomfield’s important mission. I look forward to seeing these schools continue to serve diverse populations and make such a critical impact in New Jersey.”

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson – “Access to higher education is critical for economic mobility and growth. Congratulations to both Bloomfield College and Montclair State University on ensuring future generations of students will be able to pursue these types of opportunities.”

Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney – “Montclair State University and Bloomfield College completing this partnership ensures that future generations of students will have the opportunity to change their lives through education. College is an experience that can transform a young person who makes that investment in themselves, so I am thrilled to see they’ll have this opportunity.”

Senator Gordon M. Johnson – “Congratulations to Bloomfield College and Montclair State University for preserving access to life-changing educational opportunities through this historic merger.”

Assemblyman Brandon Umba – “Congratulations to both Bloomfield College and Montclair State University for completing this historic merger. I am proud to support these schools coming together to create educational opportunities for our students.”

Assemblywoman Linda Carter – “I am so proud to support this tremendous achievement that will create incredible opportunities for generations of students to come. Bloomfield College and Montclair State University coming together will preserve access to higher education for students from traditionally underrepresented communities, and the results will no doubt be incredible for our state.”

Senator Paul Sarlo – “Congratulations to both Montclair State University and Bloomfield College, as well as their leadership, for completing this incredible and historic merger.”

Assemblyman John F. McKeon – “I could not be happier to support this historic moment. This successful merger will help generations of New Jersey residents obtain access to quality higher education for years to come.”

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