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Union Institute & University

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This article is about the university based in Ohio. For other institutions with a similar name, see Union University (disambiguation).
"Union Institute" redirects here. For Union Institute Academy, see History of Duke University.
Union Institute & University
TypePrivate online university
Active1964–June 30, 2024
Location
Online
Colors
  • Green
  • yellow
Websitemyunion.edu

Union Institute & University (UI&U) was a private online university that was headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It also operated satellite campuses in Florida and California.[1]

In early 2023, it began to publicly experience severe financial challenges. Federal financial aid was cut off, it did not pay employees for many months, and it was evicted from its headquarters in Cincinnati for failing to pay rent. The university was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission but resigned its accreditation effective June 25, 2024.[2][3] It closed permanently on June 30, 2024.[4][5]

History

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Creation and growth

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Union Institute & University traced its origins to 1964, when the president of Goddard College hosted the presidents of nine liberal arts institutions at a conference to discuss cooperation in educational innovation and experimentation.[6] The Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education was established by Antioch College, Bard College, Goddard College, Chicago Teachers North, Monteith Masson, New College at Hofstra University, Sarah Lawrence College, Shimer College, and Stephens College.[6] The "discovery" of the English open education movement may have played a factor in the interest in progressive education.[7]

Samuel Baskin, a psychologist and educational reformer who served on the faculty of Stephens and Antioch colleges, was the founding president of the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, Union Graduate School, and the University Without Walls. Margaret Mead, an anthropologist and author, was one of the institution's first professors.[8]

Renamed in 1969 as the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, it focused on providing educational opportunities for non-traditional students whose needs were best served by a low-residency college experience, as well as those students who sought to conduct socially relevant research in an interdisciplinary manner.

The Union Graduate School's doctoral programs were based on the British tutorial system and the first doctoral students were admitted in 1970.[9] From its inception, the institution had a continuing emphasis on social relevance and interdisciplinarity of research.

By 1971, five more colleges and universities joined the Union, bringing the total consortium to 22 schools of higher education.[10] In 1975, the number of colleges in the University Without Walls network reached 34.[11] In 1976, the offices moved from Yellow Springs, Ohio, where Antioch College was located to Cincinnati.[12]

The Union of Experimenting Colleges and Universities, or UECU, disbanded in 1982, but the University Without Walls remained in operation[13] after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1984.[14] In 1989, the University Without Walls was renamed The Union Institute.[15]

Vermont College acquisition and spin-off

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The Union Institute acquired Vermont College in Montpelier, Vermont, from Norwich University in 2001.[16] The purchase of Vermont College added several master's degree programs and an adult degree program to the Union's existing undergraduate and doctoral programs. This enabled The Union to provide a progression of degree opportunities, along with certificates in advanced graduate study. In October 2001, the Union Institute was renamed "Union Institute & University". In 2008, fine arts programs from Vermont College were spun off from Union into the newly independent Vermont College of Fine Arts.[17]

Early 2000s academic issues

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Union Institute & University's PhD program came under scrutiny by the Ohio Board of Regents, culminating in a reauthorization report published in 2002.[18] In response to the report, Union underwent major academic and structural changes, including dissolution of the Union Graduate School and restructuring of its PhD programs. The PhD in Arts and Sciences, for example, was redesigned as a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, with four majors: Ethical and Creative Leadership, Public Policy and Social Change, Humanities and Culture, and Educational Studies, and offers a specialization in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Studies.[18] In 2004 the U.S. Department of Education also raised concerns about the quality of the institute's PhD programs.[19]

2023-2024 financial distress

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Union Institute began to publicly experience severe financial distress in March 2023 when salaries owed to university staff were paid late.[20]

Throughout 2023, the university continued to exhibit signs of financial distress including further delayed wages and being locked out of its headquarters. Some university staff filed a class action lawsuit against the university alleging that the delayed wages violate labor laws.[21] The lawsuit was settled in March 2024 for $110,000.[22]

The start of the fall 2023 semester was delayed from August to November,[23] and then cancelled completely on November 15.[24][25] In October, fifty doctoral students at Union signed a letter saying that the president of Union, Karen Schuster Webb, "should resign" and that the entire board of trustees should be replaced.[26]

Union was also placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 by the U.S. Department of Education, a status that imposes oversight over its federal financial aid.[27] In late November, they revoked Union's ability to receive federal financial aid and also fined the university $4.3 million, alleging that Union collected more federal funding that it was supposed to collect and failed to refund the federal government.[28][29][30] In addition, the Education Department reported that the Institute had failed to refund more than $750,000 in student financial aid that had been required.[31]

As a consequence of being placed on heightened cash monitoring status, the Higher Learning Commission, Union's accreditor, "assigned a Financial Distress designation to Union."[32][33]

In December 2023, a teach-out plan was announced between Union and Antioch University for two master's degree programs and a doctoral program.[34][22] An additional teach-out plan was signed with Lasell University in Massachusetts.[35]

In May 2024, the institute was placed on "Administrative Probation" by the Higher Learning Commission for failure to pay annual dues to the accrediting body.[36] Shortly thereafter, Union's leaders announced that the institution would resign its accreditation effective June 25, 2024[35][3] and close entirely on June 30.[4][5]

Despite its June 30, 2024 closure, Union Institute is still attempting to collect past due tuition payments and withholding transcripts of students who refuse to pay.[37][38]

Campus locations

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Originally, instruction was provided as a low-residency model at the constituent colleges of the organization.

In 1996, the college acquired two buildings in Cincinnati, Time Hill and the Procter and Collier–Beau Brummell Building. It sold Time Hill in 2008 to Lighthouse Youth Services and the Procter and Collier-Beau Brummell Building to the University of Cincinnati in 2021.[39]

In 2021, it moved into a rented building at 2090 Florence Avenue in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati to serve as its headquarters, which by July 2023, the university was behind on rent "to the tune of more than $367,000."[39][40] In August 2023, the university was locked out of its Cincinnati headquarters and was evicted on November 9, 2023.[41][42]

Presidents

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  1. Samuel Baskin (1965–1976)[43][44]
  2. King Virgil Cheek (1976–1978)
  3. Kenneth W. Rothe (1978)[45]
  4. Robert Conley (1982–1999)[46]
  5. Judith Sturnick (2000–2003)[47]
  6. Roger H. Sublett (2003–2018)
  7. Karen Schuster Webb (2018–2024)

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Locations - Union Institute & University". 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  2. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". www.hlcommission.org. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  3. ^ a b "Union Institute and University forfeits accreditation after probation, likely to close". Yahoo News. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  4. ^ a b "Union Institute & University announces closure". WVXU. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  5. ^ a b Moody, Josh. "Union Institute & University Announces Closure". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  6. ^ a b Barrett et al. 1972, p. 1.
  7. ^ Smith, Lydia A. H. (1988). 'Open Education' Revisited--Americans Discover English Informal Education, 1967-1974. OCLC 1062873300. ERIC ED304043.[page needed]
  8. ^ "Obituary, Samuel Baskin Ph.D.", The Antiochian, 2002, retrieved January 11, 2016
  9. ^ Fairfield, Roy P. (Spring 1972). "To Bury the Albatross?". Journal of Research and Development in Education. 5 (3): 107–118. OCLC 425483663. ERIC EJ060984.
  10. ^ Barrett et al. 1972, p. 2.
  11. ^ Marienau, Catherine (May 1975). University Without Walls Handbook. p. 19. ERIC ED146834.
  12. ^ "History - Union Institute & University". 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  13. ^ Grady, J. (October 20, 1989), The Union Institute acquires a new name, a national historic landmark as its permanent home., Cincinnati, OH: The Union Institute
  14. ^ Tate, Skip (May 1996). "A Contemporary School Rebuilds the Past". Cincinnati Magazine. Vol. 29, no. 7. pp. 72–74.
  15. ^ Grady, J. (October 20, 1989). "The Union Institute acquires a new name, a national historic landmark as its permanent home". Cincinnati, OH: The Union Institute.
  16. ^ Bates, D. (2002), A Brief History of the Union Institute and University, retrieved January 14, 2016[self-published source?]
  17. ^ "History". Vermont College of Fine Arts. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  18. ^ a b Ohio Board of Regents (2002), Minutes of the meeting of September 19 (PDF), retrieved January 11, 2016
  19. ^ Tortora, Andrea (February 23, 2004). "Union PH.D.s under scrutiny". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  20. ^ Monk, Dan (24 August 2023). "Feds intervene as financial turmoil worsens at Union Institute". WCPO 9 Cincinnati.
  21. ^ Moody, Josh (August 24, 2023). "Union Institute & University Mired in Financial Woes". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Union Institute & University employees reach settlement over unpaid wages". WVXU. 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  23. ^ Moody, Josh. "Union Institute & University Delays Start of Semester Again". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  24. ^ @chelseasicknews (November 14, 2023). "NEW INFO: Students at the Union Institute and University tell me the fall semester has now officially been canceled, the university says classes will resume in January. This after the Institute postponed fall classes, claiming it needed more time to disperse financial aid" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ WKRC, Chelsea Sick (2023-11-14). "University in Walnut Hills evicted, faces uncertain future amid financial crisis". WKRC. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  26. ^ Monk, Dan (23 October 2023). "When the going got tough, this president left town: As Union Institute spiraled, its president relocated". WCPO 9 Cincinnati.
  27. ^ Moody, Josh (August 29, 2023). "Union Institute & University Delays Start of Semester". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  28. ^ Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy (November 22, 2023). "Education Department fines Union Institute & University $4.3M, moves to cut off Title IV aid". Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  29. ^ Monk, Dan (21 November 2023). "Feds take 'emergency action' against Union Institute for 'serious, ongoing violations'". WCPO 9 Cincinnati.
  30. ^ Halperin, David (2023-11-22). "Education Department Terminates Aid to Union Institute & University". Republic Report. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  31. ^ Katherine Knott (November 27, 2023). "Education Department Cuts Federal Funds for Union Institute".
  32. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". www.hlcommission.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  33. ^ Monk, Dan (11 September 2023). "What went wrong at Union Institute? Enrollment declined, spending did not". WCPO 9 Cincinnati.
  34. ^ "Antioch University Announces Transfer Agreement with Union Institute and University" (Press release). Antioch University. 14 December 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Higher Learning Commission". www.hlcommission.org. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  36. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". www.hlcommission.org. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  37. ^ "Union Institute is closing, but it still wants those tuition payments". Yahoo News. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  38. ^ "Union Institute is closing, but it still wants those tuition payments". WCPO 9 Cincinnati. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  39. ^ a b "Union Institute & University Moves National Headquarters to New Cincinnati Location" (Press release). Union Institute & University. 30 April 2021.
  40. ^ WKRC, Chelsea Sick (2023-10-18). "Questions mount as local university cancels fall term, citing financial distress". WKRC. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  41. ^ "When the going got tough, this president left town: As Union Institute spiraled, its president relocated". WCPO 9 Cincinnati. 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  42. ^ @chelseasicknews (November 14, 2023). "Union was facing an eviction from its building in Walnut Hills. According to the court document filed below on November 9, the landlord was granted restitution of the property" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ^ "History - Union Institute & University". 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  44. ^ "Sam Baskin – Founder and First President of Union Institute & University | InsideUnion". 2016-01-12. Archived from the original on 2016-01-12. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  45. ^ Kirkhorn, Michael (1979). "Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities: Back from the Brink". Change. 11 (3): 18–21. ISSN 0009-1383. JSTOR 40163348.
  46. ^ "Collection: Office of the President & Chancellor of Seton Hall University: Robert T. Conley records | Monsignor William Noe Field Archives at Seton Hall". archivesspace-library.shu.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  47. ^ Green, Susan. "Perfect Union? In Montpelier and Cincinnati, Judity Sturnick puts Vermont College back on course". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  48. ^ Roberts, Sam (April 21, 2021). "Stanley Aronowitz, Labor Scholar and Activist, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  49. ^ education, Elaine Woo Elaine Woo is a Los Angeles native who has written for her hometown paper since 1983 She covered public; Local, Filled a Variety of Editing Assignments Before Joining “the Dead Beat”-News Obituaries – Where She Has Produced Artful Pieces on Celebrated; national; Figures, International; Mailer, including Norman; Child, Julia; in 2015, Rosa Parks She left The Times (2011-06-29). "Esther M. Broner dies at 83; Jewish feminist, novelist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-01-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ "The Age-Old Teachings and Joyful Beseechings of Brother Blue | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  51. ^ "Rita Mae Brown, Ph.D. - Union Institute & University". 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  52. ^ "Joseph Bruchac". Vermont College of Fine Arts. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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  54. ^ "Gary Dorrien". Archived from the original on 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
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  60. ^ "USC Cinematic Arts | Directory of SCA Faculty". cinema.usc.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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  64. ^ "Aurora Levins Morales". Poets & Writers. 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  65. ^ "Philip Lopate". 2009-01-29. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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  70. ^ kreidler, Marc (2019-05-10). "A Critical Look at Gary Null's Activities and Credentials | Quackwatch". Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  71. ^ "Dr. Antonia Pantoja - Union Institute & University". 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  72. ^ Batz, Bob (1 January 1997). "HANDBELL ADVOCATE DIES AT 89". Dayton Daily News. p. 1B. ProQuest 254007792.
  73. ^ "Lincoln J. Ragsdale, 69, a Pilot Who Broke Many Color Barriers". The New York Times. 1995-06-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  74. ^ "Dr. Jane O'Meara Driscoll Sanders - Union Institute & University". 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  75. ^ "James Turner, a 'giant' of Africana studies, dies at 82 | Cornell Chronicle". news.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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Sources

[edit]
  • Barrett, Laurence; Bare, John K.; Hays, William L.; et al. (May 1972). Report of a Visit to the University Without Walls by the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities Yellow Springs, Ohio, May, 1972 for the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (Report). ERIC ED083909.
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