Notre Dame College is eyeing a “potential opportunity” with Cleveland State University. 

That’s the language used in a new statement shared on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Officials at the small private college in South Euclid are engaging in “strategic planning to develop options for our future,” according to the statement. They went on to describe an opportunity with Cleveland State as one that “would be mutually beneficial to our students, our school community, and both organizations,” before again adding that no decision has been made yet. 

As Signal Cleveland first reported on Jan. 26, officials at both Cleveland State and Notre Dame confirmed the two higher education institutions talked three times last fall.

Cleveland State said the conversations centered on “opportunities for both administrations to explore the feasibility of CSU potentially absorbing Notre Dame College.” Officials with Notre Dame referred to a potential deal as a “partnership.” 

Collegiate challenges

Notre Dame, like its peers nationwide, saw enrollment and financial problems amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials pointed that out in this new statement, calling out declining demographics and “growing costs.” About 1,050 students attend the college full-time. 

Though much larger, Cleveland State has seen enrollment challenges, too. About 14,200 students were enrolled there last fall, a roughly 13% drop from five years ago.

Officials at Notre Dame told Signal Cleveland last week they anticipate having more information regarding the school’s future to share in mid-February.  

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