Board of Trustees Set to Review Cooperative Program; Fate of Relations with Mount St. Vincent Uncertain
Nick Marricco
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: News
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Students whose degrees rely on the cooperative program will be given the opportunity to complete their degrees, Jackson affirmed.
While Jackson declined to comment on the specific reasons for the program's review, he admitted that over the past few years certain "stresses and strains" had developed. "Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that both colleges…have begun moving in different directions," he said.
"There are some operational difficulties, including how departments are operated," Jackson continued. There are also logistical concerns, like the bus system. Both Boards where in accord about reviewing the case and taking the steps necessary to remedy the issue. Part of the September 21 meeting's agenda, therefore, is to discuss what options are available.
But the program is broad and deeply rooted throughout the schools' varying departments, and not all agree that the transition will be smooth, should the Boards decide to end the program. Rocco Marinaccio, Associate Professor of English at Manhattan College, believes the school will introduce the changes with the "least chaos to the students."
Still, he continued, new facilities will need to be created, especially in the science departments, to offer students the same accommodations that exist at the Mount. A Communications department, with all its specific media needs, will need to be developed practically from the ground up.
Ultimately, there is some doubt over whether all the effort is necessary or beneficial. "It's my impression that we should have made this work," Marinaccio said.
Though the end of the cooperative agreement would mean significant changes in how both schools operate, the idea was not a surprise as the program was not designed to be permanent. A specific dissolution clause was built into the contract, so eventually the schools would have to review the case anyway.
"You always want to review a program of long-standing," Jackson said.
The cooperative program with Mount Saint Vincent was inaugurated in 1964. Its intent, according to Manhattan College's website, was to broaden educational opportunities through the "sharing of facilities, programs of study, and professional faculties."
It was believed that both colleges together could offer more than they could individually.
Furthermore, in 1964 Manhattan College and the Mount were still single-sex campuses. Through the program, Jackson said, "both campuses could enjoy the benefits of a coeducational environment."
What will be discussed at the September 21 meeting is whether such "broadening educational opportunities" have reached their limit.
While Jackson declined to comment on the specific reasons for the program's review, he admitted that over the past few years certain "stresses and strains" had developed. "Generally speaking, I think it's fair to say that both colleges…have begun moving in different directions," he said.
"There are some operational difficulties, including how departments are operated," Jackson continued. There are also logistical concerns, like the bus system. Both Boards where in accord about reviewing the case and taking the steps necessary to remedy the issue. Part of the September 21 meeting's agenda, therefore, is to discuss what options are available.
But the program is broad and deeply rooted throughout the schools' varying departments, and not all agree that the transition will be smooth, should the Boards decide to end the program. Rocco Marinaccio, Associate Professor of English at Manhattan College, believes the school will introduce the changes with the "least chaos to the students."
Still, he continued, new facilities will need to be created, especially in the science departments, to offer students the same accommodations that exist at the Mount. A Communications department, with all its specific media needs, will need to be developed practically from the ground up.
Ultimately, there is some doubt over whether all the effort is necessary or beneficial. "It's my impression that we should have made this work," Marinaccio said.
Though the end of the cooperative agreement would mean significant changes in how both schools operate, the idea was not a surprise as the program was not designed to be permanent. A specific dissolution clause was built into the contract, so eventually the schools would have to review the case anyway.
"You always want to review a program of long-standing," Jackson said.
The cooperative program with Mount Saint Vincent was inaugurated in 1964. Its intent, according to Manhattan College's website, was to broaden educational opportunities through the "sharing of facilities, programs of study, and professional faculties."
It was believed that both colleges together could offer more than they could individually.
Furthermore, in 1964 Manhattan College and the Mount were still single-sex campuses. Through the program, Jackson said, "both campuses could enjoy the benefits of a coeducational environment."
What will be discussed at the September 21 meeting is whether such "broadening educational opportunities" have reached their limit.