Westminster Choir College Faculty Frustrated Over Lack Of Sale Details

PRINCETON, NJ — Amid the uncertainty surrounding the sale of Westminster Choir College, an unspecified number of professors canceled classes Monday morning. In August, the Rider University Board of Trustees announced that an international partner has proposed to acquire Westminster Choir College and maintain the campus in Princeton. The partner has not been named and details of the sale have yet to be released.

Assistant Professor of Voice Thomas Faracco told the Princeton Packet professors held the “teach-in” because they are frustrated because they don’t have a forum to let the students know how they feel about the sale, and they feel it’s important for the students to know where their professors stand. The university said it respects the rights of its faculty to express their opinion, and that much work still remains in the process of selling the college.

The partner was selected from about 280 entities through the university’s adviser, PwC Corporate Finance LLC. Following the initial announcement, Rider said the sides would enter into negotiations, and the university would do its due diligence.

Rider University announced its intention to sell the campus in March. The decision came after the university initially said it was looking to close the campus and consolidate it with the campus in Lawrenceville to help with some of the university’s financial problems.

The Coalition to Save Westminster Choir College was formed shortly after university announced its plans for consolidation. It has since filed a lawsuit to prevent the university from selling either the college or the campus.

Shea Velloso performs at the historic Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, N.J. as part of the Westminster Choir College 24 Hour Marathon in January. The half marathon was held in defiance of the sale of the college, and a “teach in” was held on Monday as faculty attempts to learn more about the sale. (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Westminster Choir College)