Baldwin Wallace University, which has cut faculty positions and undergraduate programs to regain its financial footing, is talking to Cleveland State University about partnering on some types of programs.
The discussions have taken place between Cleveland State President Laura Bloomberg and Baldwin Wallace President Lee Fisher, who used to be the dean of Cleveland State’s College of Law.
“President Bloomberg and I are good friends and talk regularly,” Fisher told Weekly Chatter in a text message. “I also talk regularly with other college and university presidents. We often talk about possible strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial, such as course-sharing, and how we can jointly meet the region’s workforce needs.”
Earlier this year, Fisher, who took over the school last July, canceled the upcoming December graduation ceremony to save money before reversing course. Yet, he dismissed the notion that his talks with Bloomberg or other presidents are in any way linked to a possible merger.
“There are no new specific partnership plans underway with any of these universities,” Fisher said, adding that Baldwin Wallace is on solid footing.
“BW’s costs are down, enrollment and fundraising is up, and we’re stronger than we’ve been in years,” he said.
In the fall of 2023, Cleveland State met three times with officials of now-defunct Notre Dame College about the feasibility of CSU absorbing Notre Dame College. The talks did not result in any partnership or merger.
Bloomberg said in a statement that she has talked to Fisher as part of her commitment to deepen partnerships to create opportunities for students.
“We have discussed the potential for strategic partnerships between our universities, just as CSU has also engaged in similar conversations with other institutions in the state,” she said.
