MVNU stepping into the gap

MVNU Stepping into the gap

The first step taken by any college moving to closure is finding teach-out partners that will enable students to finish their progress in as seamless a fashion as possible. This process in Eastern Nazarene College’s case is guided by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. ENC established formal teach-out partnerships with five schools along with a secondary list of approximately 30 more schools that were offering help. Overall, more than 130 ENC students transferred to MVNU and the other teach-out partners Gordon College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Worcester State University. Hundreds more have transferred to schools across the region and the U.S. including Trevecca, Olivet, and Point Loma Nazarene universities.

This important first step of teach-out partnership is a priority, but truly only a first step. An important secondary move is to establish a custodial partnership with another college or university. This summer, Mount Vernon Nazarene stepped into that gap as well. This too is a process directed by the MA Department of Higher Education. All digital and physical files of ENC student transcripts, financial records, health records, employee records, donor records, and historical (non-archival) records will be maintained by MVNU in perpetuity.

The MA DHE requires up to 60 years of searchable transcripts for former students and that indeed will be fulfilled in this transition. Former ENC students will be able to have their transcript seamlessly delivered by the MVNU Registrar. Thus far, two truckloads of paper files have been transported to MVNU with the anticipation of at least one more delivery later this year for a total of well over 300 boxes of records held in their care.

Not only has MVNU stepped into the gap as a custodial partner, but they have gone further to step into the gap as an operational partner as well. Through this fall semester, MVNU has begun to serve functions in Institutional Research, Information Technology, the Registrar’s Office, and Finance Office including the role of CFO. Operations previously done by ENC employees who have transitioned but are roles still necessary for continued service to our remaining 78 students, are now being filled by MVNU.

ENC is thankful for such a faithful friend and partner in MVNU – helping us to live into our mission until our conclusion May 31, 2025, serve our present and past students, and provide stewardship of the ENC legacy for years to come.