University of the District of Columbia President Allen Sessoms saw an opportunity and jumped all over it — with both feet. Smart move.
As reported in today’s Examiner, UDC is poised to acquire Southeastern University (SEU). The boards of trustees of both institutions are expected to vote this week on the offer crafted by Sessoms and Southeastern’s president, Charlene Drew Jarvis.
Southeastern has been under financial pressures. Some elected officials may have known of the school’s growing troubles. In fiscal year 2008, At-Large D.C. Councilman David Catania pushed through a $1 million grant for SEU’s Allied Health program. That injection of cash was insufficient. Additionally, the school’s accreditation is in jeopardy. Shrewdly, Jarvis, hoping to save the university, put out a call for merger proposals.
Sessoms answered. When he arrived to take the helm of the land-grant college last fall, he presented to the legislature an impressive vision for a “new” UDC, which included creating a community college by the end of 2009. Acquiring SEU would permit him to quick-start those dreams.
He has prepared a draft “letter of intent” that among other things would allow UDC to assume all of SEU’s “vibrant” associate and baccalaureate degree programs. SEU students could enroll at the UDC tuition rate. UDC will “determine who [on the faculty] to transfer” to its roster of professors and which administrators might also be merged with the school’s existing management staff, according to government sources familiar with the discussions between UDC and SEU.
Sessoms will formally present tomorrow that letter of intent to UDC’s board of trustees for its approval. Later this week, SEU’s board is expected to vote on the plan.
Already there are grumblings coming from various sectors at UDC. Some folks worry about acquiring SEU’s debt. Others believe trustees don’t have the authority to act without approval from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the council. Still others think Sessoms is moving too fast; they say he should first fix the mess he inherited.
It’s true the city’s pending budget woes almost certainly mean less money in fiscal year 2010 for UDC. But Sessoms has included in his proposal an escape clause that would release his institution of obligations if SEU’s debt is greater than represented. Further, as with most universities, UDC can acquire property and trustees are empowered to expand the school’s academic programs.
Voices of concern shouldn’t be allowed to morph into roadblocks. UDC’s growth has been hampered for decades. It has been the victim of inept boards of trustees, puny ambitions, incompetent management and insufficient investment from alumni, the community and District government. Sessoms sees the university’s potential and appears prepared to move boldly and innovatively to realize that potential.
That’s a good thing.
Trustees of each school should embrace Sessoms’ proposal. It, and the creation of a community college, is a win-win for everyone — especially District residents and SEU and UDC students
