Fontbonne University President Dr. Nancy Blattner discusses school's 2025 closure

The speaker begins by welcoming the media and acknowledges the distribution of a written press release. They propose to make an opening statement and address pre-submitted questions, also inviting further inquiries. The significant announcement is that Font,Bond University has declared financial exigency and plans to cease operations after the summer 2025 term, with no new students admitted for the fall 2024 semester. The speaker expresses gratitude for Washington University's agreement to acquire the campus, which allows Font,Bond to continue teaching through summer 2025 and provides support for students and staff. Scholarships and reduced tuition rates are mentioned as part of the transition plan for students. The speaker also discusses the university's efforts to find teach-out agreements with other institutions to assist students in completing their degrees. The decision to close the university is presented as a difficult but necessary step due to over a decade of declining enrollments and budget shortfalls.

The speaker delves into the specifics of the university's closure, including the timeline and the Higher Learning Commission's request for a provisional plan for all programs, leading to the ban on admitting new students. The recent talks with Washington University about the campus sale are highlighted, as well as the current endowment's purpose for student scholarships. The speaker addresses the eligibility of students for loan discharges and the future of the Center for Bosnian Studies. They also mention the number of employees at Font,Bond and the provision of severance packages for all staff members.

The speaker focuses on the support measures for students and faculty in the wake of the university's closure. Plans to offer scholarships for the next two summers and individualized plans for students to graduate by the end of summer are outlined. The speaker emphasizes the university's commitment to helping students find suitable institutions to transfer to if they cannot graduate from Font,Bond. The challenges faced by first-generation and socioeconomically challenged students are acknowledged, and the speaker shares a personal connection to these issues. The potential impact on athletic programs is discussed, as well as the speaker's own background and previous experience in higher education.

The speaker reflects on the significance of Font,Bond as a community and family, expressing sadness over the loss of this supportive environment. They discuss the university's role as a workplace and its importance to the St. Louis region. The speaker shares their personal emotions regarding the closure, including their interactions with students and the impact on their own family. The speaker's background and previous roles in higher education are also mentioned, along with their commitment to ensuring a dignified conclusion for the university.

The speaker explains the financial challenges that led to the university's closure, including reliance on the endowment to cover operational shortfalls and the decline in student enrollment. The costs associated with maintaining a century-old campus are also highlighted. The speaker discusses the ethical considerations of increasing tuition and the ultimate inability to sustain the university's operations. They also address the future of the campus buildings and the plans for handling religious memorabilia and archival materials.

In the closing remarks, the speaker thanks the media for their kind questioning and offers to remain available for further inquiries. They also provide contact information for continued communication, ensuring transparency and support during the university's closure process.