Pennsylvania's College Misericordia Becomes Misericordia University

This school year, College Misericordia will no longer be conducting classes in Dallas, Pa. That's because as of August 24, the higher education institution will officially become Misericordia University.

The layman may use the words "college" and "university" interchangeably, but the two terms differ in meaning when it comes to the structure of a higher education institution. Jim Roberts, Director of Marketing and Communications at Misericordia a college is made up of departments. However, a university Roberts explains is separated into different colleges, with each college being headed by an academic dean.

"I think Misericordia had evolved to a point where becoming a university was the right move," he said. "It was time to reorganize the academic areas into three different colleges... evolve the campus into a university structure."

The process to become a university began in 2005 with an exploratory committee comprised of students, staff, faculty, alumni and the board of trustees. Later that year the committee formally presented the proposal to the Board of Trustees. Then, the work began to submit an application for approval.

"We submitted a very lengthy document to the state," said Roberts. After a year-long review process, which included site visits the application was approved.

At Misericordia, the new academic scheme is comprised of three different colleges:

--College of Arts & Sciences
--College of Health Sciences
--College of Professional Studies and Social Sciences

To meet the standards of becoming a university, at least one of those colleges has to offer several master's degree programs. Additionally Roberts notes that within each new college there will be an increased emphasis on research.

"There will be more flexibility within the colleges now to increase faculty/student research, not just in the sciences, but also the humanities," he said.

Simultaneous with the application for achieving university status, Misericorda also applied for three new graduate programs: a master's of business administration, a doctorate in physical therapy, both available this school year, and also a doctorate in occupational therapy, available in the 2008-2009 school year. Aside from these three brand new programs, Roberts says Misericordia has been growing academically for the past several years, adding bachelor degrees in communications, sports management and speech and language pathology.

Roberts states that this change to a university will be nearly seamless to students.

"We have very strong academics now," he said. "However, (students) will see a slightly higher challenge in academics."

The 2007-2008 school year marks the largest freshman class to enter the university: 370.

"It's a big number for us, but still it's a small community. We are staying that small, very personal university. That's been the hallmark for 83 years, since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy. We are only going to grow it very strategically," he said.

Not only is the student-base growing, but also the campus itself. Ground was broken for two new buildings. To make room for projected growth, a new dormitory, McGowan Hall will soon begin construction. Another new building, Insalaco Hall will host classrooms, a research institute, an art gallery and a new facility for the existing speech and hearing clinic.

The trend in higher education is an annual tuition increase. With a change in status, does that mean there will be a more significant change in price?

"Higher education is an expensive business. There are highly trained and talented people, quality facilities and quality technology that students expect," he said of the items tuition dollars pay for. "Costs go up every year and the past ten years, we've been very competitive with our tuition for local private institutions. But these (increased) costs are related to delivering the quality education students expect, not to the change (in status)."

Despite all the new things happening at the school-a change in name, new buildings, new majors-Misericordia is grounded in its roots.

"We provide a challenging education in a personal environment. We prepare students to succeed in their careers and succeed in life," he said.

For more information on College Misericordia, or rather, Misericordia University, visit the schools webpage at www.misericorida.edu.