The Board of Trustees of Eastern Nazarene College has voted unanimously to begin the process of closing ENC and transitioning it into a new educational enterprise that will carry on ENC’s legacy of providing a transformational education that equips diverse students to lead and serve our world as agent of Christ’s love and truth.
As ENC enters enter this season of transition, the Board and administration are focused on caring for the present, honoring the past, and ensuring a vibrant future. ENC is committed to communicating with stakeholders in a timely and transparent way to ensure those most affected by this transition have the information and support they need.
Please return to this website regularly as updates are being made each week.
Press inquiries related to the closure of Eastern Nazarene College may be directed to enc@pinkston.co. (Please note that it is dot ‘co’ not dot ‘com’.)
Application deposits made for the 2024-2025 year have been returned to homes in the form of a check. International applicant deposits have been returned to bank accounts via direct deposit. Questions: Student Financial Services 617-745-3712, sfs@enc.edu.
Why is Eastern Nazarene College closing?
Like all small, private, liberal arts colleges, Eastern Nazarene has faced significant financial headwinds in recent years. During that time, the Board and multiple presidents have pursued numerous alternatives to closure. While these efforts produced fruit that enabled ENC to continue operating until now, the underlying challenges have intensified. As we entered the summer of 2024 and it became clear we could not in good faith guarantee incoming students that we could support them through to graduation, we were advised by our regulatory agencies that it was not ethical or practical to admit new students for fall 2024. It has become clear that transitioning to a new educational enterprise is the only viable path for continuing ENC’s mission of providing transformational education.
What alternatives to closure did the Board pursue prior to deciding to close ENC?
The decision to close comes at the end of a multi-year process dating back to 2017. During this time, the Board and multiple presidents have pursued numerous alternatives to closure, including merging with another institution, aggressive fundraising initiatives, and innovating to broaden ENC’s student base. While these efforts produced fruit that enabled ENC to continue operating until now, the underlying challenges have intensified and the Lord has answered leaders’ prayer for clarity by making it abundantly clear that transitioning to a new educational enterprise is the only viable way to fulfill ENC’s mission of providing transformational education.
When will the closure take effect?
On June 22, 2024, the Board voted unanimously to direct the President to begin the process of closing ENC. On August 29, 2024, the Board voted unanimously for formal dissolution of the college. ENC will serve degree seeking students in the fall who anticipate graduation this year. A small grouping of master’s degree students will finish internships and placements in spring. ENC will cease all academic activities by May 2025.
What will the new educational enterprise be?
The Board anticipates transitioning ENC into a new educational enterprise that will carry on the work of providing a transformational education through annual scholarships for Nazarene students from the Eastern Field to attend another Nazarene IBOE school. This transition is pending the approval of appropriate authorities who oversee non-profit organizations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
When will the new educational enterprise begin operating?
ENC’s first priority is caring well for those most directly impacted by the closure: ENC’s students, faculty and staff. As that process continues, ENC will work closely with appropriate authorities who oversee non-profit organizations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ENC will share more information as it becomes available.
What is ENC doing for students and families impacted by this decision?
ENC’s goal, pending the commitment of a critical mass of students and faculty, is to continue serving undergraduate and graduate students who are on track to graduate by the end of the year. ENC has arranged teach-out agreements with three institutions to provide streamlined transfer options for all other students. Because each student’s situation is unique, ENC staff will reach out to all families of current students to schedule one-on-one conversations in the coming days, starting with students closest to graduation.
What is ENC doing for faculty and staff impacted by this decision?
Ceasing educational operations will necessitate significant changes in staffing, and ENC’s priority in this transition is to care well for all faculty and staff, regardless of how long they remain at ENC. This will include job-placement support and access to counseling resources. ENC’s Human Resources department will reach out directly to faculty and staff to schedule one-on-one conversations.
Who can I contact for more information?
ENC’s top priority is to care well for those most directly and immediately impacted by this decision, and ENC staff are reaching out directly to students and families, as well as faculty and staff, to provide one-on-one support. This website contains important information for other stakeholders and will be updated regularly as more information becomes available. Members of the media may contact enc@pinkston.co.
Can I remain at ENC?
ENC’s plans to assist any undergraduates who can complete their degree by December 2024 to do so. For those undergraduates that cannot complete in that timeframe, ENC has arranged teach-out agreements with four institutions – Gordon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Bunker Hill Community College, and Worcester State University.
What is the registration deadline for Fall 2024?
All seniors seeking to complete their undergraduate course of study by December 12, 2024 must have their schedule and registration completed by Friday, August 9, 2024.
How can I learn more about the transfer options?
ENC staff have reached out to current students via multiple means these past months. If you are a current student needing assistance, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 617-745-3877 or email registrar@enc.edu.
ENC has partnered with four institutions to offer teach-out agreements that would allow current ENC students to transfer and complete their degree programs. ENC students and parents can learn more at each partners website which is linked on the page below:
Are There Other Institutions Interested In Assisting?
What is a teach-out?
A teach-out is a process during which:
Institutions share a teach-out agreement that provides students a reasonable opportunity to complete their program of study.
Source: (Federal Student Aid website)
Is admission guaranteed to the four teach-out schools?
ENC’s four teach-out partners are offering special care for all ENC students to assist them in admittance. ENC students with a GPA under 2.0 will need to converse in more detail with the partner school. International students will need to do the same in regard to financial requirements for visa process. Information on how to begin the transfer process is available at each partner school website:
Will my credits transfer?
The teach-out agreements ensure a generous transfer of students’ existing credits. Earned credit at ENC will be awarded by each school as liberally as possible.
Will my tuition remain the same when I transfer to a partnered teach-out institution?
Yes, this is true at least for year one. The teach-out agreements ensure students will pay no more in tuition at the time of their transfer than they would have paid at ENC for 24-25. Future years will involve the normal financial aid process. As each institution’s total costs related to housing, meals, and fees vary – do expect differences, however tuition pricing should be the same in 2024-2025. It is important that each transferring student has a detailed conversation with the school to which they’re transferring.
What if I don’t want to transfer to one of the schools with a teach-out agreement?
ENC is committed to helping students transfer to the school they desire, including timely access to transcripts and other information. Please contact the ENC Registrar for all academic transfer matters. F1 Visa students should also contact the ENC Designated School Officer (DSO).
Who can students/parents contact for more information?
This website contains important information for students and parents and will be updated regularly as more information becomes available. ENC staff will be reaching out directly to all students and families to schedule one-on-one conversations and provide direct support, starting with students closest to graduation.
Will deposits be returned?
Yes. Application deposits made for the 2024-2025 year have been returned to the address of record for those students living in the U.S.
International applicant deposits have been direct deposited into their bank accounts.
For any assistance with this, please contact the Student Financial Services at 617-745-3712 or email at sfs@enc.edu.
Who will hold my academic records once ENC has concluded?
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (www.mvnu.edu) will become the official student/transcript records holder for Eastern Nazarene College.
Balances from Prior Terms
Do I still owe payment for my current or prior term’s balance with the news of ENC moving to closure?
Yes, please do make full payment or establish a payment plan to complete your previous educational process at ENC. For more information on paying your balance, please contact Student Financial Services at:
Phone: 617-745-3712
Email: sfs@enc.edu
How can I access counseling services?
ENC has deployed a Pastoral Care Team led by Rev. Shane Lima, our College Pastor, who will offer pastoral support to all employees and students. As you have need, please reach out to these pastors (Rev. Shane Lima, Rev. Steve Kindt, Rev. Jim Abrams and Rev. Stretch Dean) at PastoralCare@enc.edu.
Where can I obtain a copy of my ENC health records?
As of September 12th, 2024, The Brickley Center at Eastern Nazarene College is Closed Permanently. The Brickley Center has been home to Counseling Services and Health Services.
If you are a former student seeking information related to your medical health records, please review the following information regarding the transfer of Eastern Nazarene College Medical Health Records to Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Student Health Services.
Length of Record Retention
Health records are to be preserved for a “minimum of seven years from the last patient encounter” (MGL. C 243 CMR 2.07(13) and the client is 24 years of age or older. Immunization records are retained for a period of 10 years following the end of the calendar year in which the documentation occurred. (Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule: Quick Guide Schedule Number 06-18, section H02-02 (b)).
Where to Locate Archived Records
As of September 13, 2024, custodianship of ENC Medical Health records has been transferred from Eastern Nazarene College Health Services to Mount Vernon Nazarene University Student Health Services in Mount Vernon, Ohio. If you are seeking your Eastern Nazarene College Medical Health records, please contact MVNU Student Health Services via email. When contacting the office, please share you are a former Eastern Nazarene College student and provide your full name, graduation year, approximate year(s) seen at ENC Health Services
Where can I obtain a copy of my ENC counseling records?
As of September 12th, 2024, The Brickley Center at Eastern Nazarene College is Closed Permanently. The Brickley Center has been home to Counseling Services and Health Services.
If you are a former student seeking information related to your mental health records, please review the following information regarding the transfer of Eastern Nazarene College Mental Health Records to Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Counseling Services.
Length of Record Retention (258 CMR 22.03 (2))
Except as otherwise provided by law, a client’s clinical treatment record shall be maintained for a period of not less than seven years from the date of the last client encounter or professional consultation with the client. In the event that the client is a minor, the client’s clinical treatment record shall be maintained for at least seven years from the date of the last client encounter or professional consultation with the client, or at least three years after the client attains the age of majority, as defined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7, whichever is longer.
Where to Locate Archived Records
As of September 13, 2024, custodianship of ENC Mental Health records has been transferred from Eastern Nazarene College Counseling Services to Mount Vernon Nazarene University Counseling Services in Mount Vernon, Ohio. If you are seeking your Eastern Nazarene College Mental Health records, please contact MVNU Counseling Services via email. When contacting the office, please share you are a former Eastern Nazarene College student and provide your full name, graduation year, approximate year(s) seen at ENC Counseling Services.
How does the decision to close affect ENC faculty and staff?
Ceasing educational operations will necessitate significant changes in staffing, and ENC’s priority in this transition is to care well for all employees, regardless of how long they remain at ENC. This includes job-placement support, pastoral care support, and access to counseling resources. ENC’s Human Resources department offered to meet with employees for one-on-one conversations as requested.
Will ENC provide financial support to faculty and staff affected by this closure?
Yes. Because each employee’s situation is unique, ENC Human Resources staff will provide employees with written communication regarding their layoff dates, pay and benefits.
How can I access job-placement support?
MassHire’s Rapid Response Team has conducted information sessions on job search and unemployment and have presented a resume writing workshop. Employees have access to one-on-one resources at MassHire as long as they have registered through JobQuest. ENC’s Human Resource Department is available for one-on-one consultations also.
How can I access counseling services?
ENC has deployed a Pastoral Care Team led by Rev. Shane Lima, our College Pastor, who will offer pastoral support to all employees and students. As you have need, please reach out to these pastors (Rev. Shane Lima, Rev. Steve Kindt, Rev. Jim Abrams and Rev. Stretch Dean) at PastoralCare@enc.edu. ENC is also providing access to Pastoral Counseling Services of the South Shore and Guardian’s WorkLifeMatters Employee Assistance Program. ENC’s HR department has provided specific contact information to employees.
Will ENC have a final homecoming in 2024?
Where can alumni go for additional information?
Alumni with additional questions may reach out to alumni@enc.edu.
Who can donors contact for more information?
This website contains important information for donors and will be updated regularly as more information becomes available. Donor questions not answered on this website can be directed to development@enc.edu.
When can I expect an answer to my question?
ENC’s desire to inform the community of the decision to close as soon as possible means leaders are still in the process of identifying answers to some stakeholders’ questions. ENC appreciates your patience as ENC staff focus their energy on serving students, faculty and staff most directly and immediately impacted by this decision.
Ceasing educational operations necessitates significant changes in staffing, and ENC’s priority in this transition is to care well for all faculty and staff, regardless of how long they remain at ENC. In addition to access to pastoral care and counseling resources, support has included job-placement. MassHire’s Rapid Response Team has conducted information sessions on job search and unemployment, and have presented a resume-writing workshop. Employees also have access to one-on-one resources at MassHire through JobQuest, and ENC’s Human Resource Department has been available for one-on-one consultations as needed.
How ENC’s closure affect Campus Kinder Haus?
ENC expects Campus Kinder Haus to operate normally during this transition and is working with CKH leadership to explore options to ensure it continues to operate beyond the conclusion of ENC’s academic operation.
How ENC’s closure affect the Matthew 25 initiative?
ENC anticipates no immediate impact on the Matthew 25 initiative, which includes a Family Welcome Center and Temporary Family Emergency Shelter for people displaced from their home countries due to severe violence. ENC will remain in close contact with its partners in the Matthew 25 initiative – including the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services, Bay State Community Services (which operates the Family Welcome Center) and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (which operates the Temporary Family Emergency Shelter) to ensure timely and transparent communication with the families we serve.
What will happen to the ENC campus?
ENC’s priority in the early stages of this transition is to care for the students, faculty and staff most directly and immediately impacted by the closure. Additional close-out work is expected to occur in the first half of 2025, and ENC will remain in close contact with local and state officials as we determine the future of the ENC campus and other assets.
Will ENC participate in NCAA Division III competition in 2024-2025?
No. ENC has notified the NCAA that is anticipates not being able to participate in athletics in the Fall 2024 semester.
As a student-athlete, how do I get entered into the Transfer Portal?
Email Director of Athletics, Derek Schmitt, at Derek.Schmitt@enc.edu
Who do I contact with athletic questions?
Derek Schmitt, at Derek.Schmitt@enc.edu
