Urbana University | Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
The closing of Urbana University branch campus will affect the community as the last-ever spring semester comes to a close.
Urbana’s closure
Urbana University is a branch campus of Franklin University located North of Dayton.
The branch campus has struggled with low enrollment for several years, according to Sherry Mercurio, executive director of communications at Franklin University.
The coronavirus made the situation much worse.
“Franklin University’s efforts in recent years to stabilize the Urbana campus were meeting with some success,” said Mercurio. “However, the global coronavirus pandemic has added a level of stress and uncertainty to Urbana’s prospects that make it impossible to sustain.”
On April 21, the university announced they would be discontinuing physical operations at Urbana effective after the end of spring 2020 semester.
This closure will leave a lasting impact on the community while creating big decisions for current and future students.
Students without a school
According to Mercurio, Urbana University currently serves about 1,254 students. About 75 percent of them are in college credit plus, the Post-Baccalaureate Education program, the Health Care MBA program and the London Correctional Institute program.
All of these students will be able to continue their education uninterrupted because their education does not occur on the Urbana campus.
As for the other 350 students, they will be able to complete the remainder of their education online through Franklin University. They will also have the option to transfer if they choose to do so.
Some high school students who were planning to attend Urbana are now having to make difficult decisions about their future education.
Josie Bodekor is a senior in high school and was planning to go to Urbana University for a degree in criminal justice.
Urbana was Bodekor’s first choice. According to Bodekor, they have a great criminal justice program and it would have been a great place for her to cheer.
Now that the university is closing, students like Bodekor have to race against deadlines to find a new college to attend.
“It was a shock to me and to all the students that were planning on attending there in the fall,” said Bodekor. “It’s made students stress on trying to find a new home before deadlines.”
“I couldn’t even process the whole thing,” said Urbana student Marcus Omosule. “It felt like I was in a dream.”
No more Urbana athletics
Omosule was a three-year starter for the Urbana football team.
“I was going to be named team captain for my senior year and I was looking forward to finishing my career at where I started,” said Omosule.
The first person he went to after hearing the news was his position coach.
“He was in disbelief to his core,” said Omosule. “I was two semesters away from graduating with my criminal justice degree and I was worried about what was next. To be honest, I was very scared.”
At first, Omosule worried about finding another college to play for, but since then, over 100 coaches have reached out to him.
Omosule currently has about 25 offers to continue his academic and athletic career.
“I have even looked at retiring and walking away from football, which is a very hard decision for me, and finishing my degree at Franklin University where all my credits would transfer,” said Omosule. “From a financial point, it beat a lot of these offers for football.”
Missing Urbana
Amidst closing physical operations for the branch campus, the university has is planning to help students and staff.
The university prepared severance packages for staff losing their jobs. They also have teach-out opportunities for students who can complete their degree before the university closes.
A total of 111 full-time employees on the Urbana campus will feel the effects of the closure, according to an Urbana press release. Franklin University is offering positions to a number of these employees.
“Meetings have been held with employees to provide the details of severance packages and to share resources to help them navigate next steps,” said Mercurio. “In addition, small-group breakout sessions were held to provide an opportunity for more personalized severance counseling.”
The university is still discussing matters such as scholarship funds at this time.
As for students, they are taking this time to reflect on the experiences that they have had at Urbana.
“The professors knew all their students and cared for them and wanted the most out of students,” said Osomule. “The coaches and staff at Urbana wanted nothing but for us to succeed. My position coach was the closest thing I have ever had to a father, and he wanted nothing but the best for me at all times.”
A Wright State connection
With Wright State University (WSU) being close to Urbana, students from Urbana could be transferring to WSU.
WSU is providing support to Urbana students during this difficult time by offering scholarships and advising appointments.
According to Jennifer McCamis, WSU director of admissions, it’s not just about recruiting. Their main goal is helping students make the best choice for where they are right now.
“At Wright State I really do feel like we have this really special feel and we try to make it feel like a family,” said McCamis. “I think it is a great opportunity for Wright State to see some new students on campus.”
According to McCamis, it is too early to say how many students WSU will see from Urbana. She is sure it will have a positive impact.
