Rider’s Board of Trustees announces decision on future of Westminster Choir College

Rider University’s Board of Trustees announced a decision today, March 28, 2017, on the future of Westminster Choir College.
 
As part of the resolution, it was concluded that neither keeping Westminster at its current location in Princeton, nor consolidating Westminster onto the Lawrenceville campus would achieve the strategic goals of the University. Recognizing the special nature of Westminster’s programs, the University has determined to pursue, with the assistance of an outside firm, several options aimed at preserving Westminster’s strong legacy. In this process, the University will seek an institution to purchase the campus and operate the Westminster programs in Princeton or to relocate the Westminster programs to a new location. This process is expected to take place over the course of the next 12 months.
 
“We recognize the impact that today’s announcement has – and will continue to have – on the Westminster community,” said Michael Kennedy, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We understand that this uncertainty is unsettling, particularly given the strong traditions, history and passion associated with Rider’s Princeton campus. The Board did not make this decision lightly and took into account the thoughtful feedback from the campus community and all of its stakeholders.”
 
“Since Rider’s merger with Westminster in 1992, the University as a whole has made tremendous strides,” said Rider President Greg Dell’Omo. “Rider University invested in the growth of Westminster and made it a better place of learning. Today, it’s time to take Westminster to a new, stronger level by finding an institution ready to build on its history of excellence.”
 
Last October, the Rider University Board of Trustees authorized the creation of a special committee consisting of eleven Trustees, including Westminster alumni and members of the University senior staff, to be known as the Westminster Special Committee (WSC). From the outset of this study, the WSC was charged with conducting a comprehensive analysis of a one-campus model, focused on the feasibility of relocating Westminster to the University’s Lawrenceville campus while retaining all of Westminster’s unique elements which directly influence the student experience. In the course of a number of meetings over a period of four months, the WSC determined it was both appropriate and necessary to broaden the analysis to consider which actions would best position the overall University for growth.
 
The Board of Trustees and the Administration are confident that these actions will help preserve and enhance both Westminster and Rider University as a whole. This decision will enable the University to move strongly towards a brighter future and continue to provide a high-quality experience to current and future students.

For more information, please visit www.rider.edu/pathforward.