June 05, 2023
Medaille's Demise Shows Why Many Small, Private Colleges Are Struggling to Survive
Medaille University (NY) refused to admit defeat until the bitter end. When the small, private school began talks with Trocaire College to join forces last summer, it termed the process a “cooperative agreement,” not a merger.
When Medaille announced Trocaire would acquire all its assets – two campuses, programs, students, faculty and staff – under the Trocaire name this spring, it called the plan an “integration” to preserve Medaille’s legacy.
But the positive spin didn’t prevent the deal from falling through in mid-May, resulting in Medaille announcing the 148-year-old school will close Aug. 31.
When Medaille announced Trocaire would acquire all its assets – two campuses, programs, students, faculty and staff – under the Trocaire name this spring, it called the plan an “integration” to preserve Medaille’s legacy.
But the positive spin didn’t prevent the deal from falling through in mid-May, resulting in Medaille announcing the 148-year-old school will close Aug. 31.