Benedictine Springfield campus ending traditional student programs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Benedictine University at Springfield is ending its undergraduate programs for traditional college students.

Campus President Michael Bromberg says the school lacks the funding to compete in the traditional market for 18-22-year-old students. Instead it will focus on the growing segment of adults seeking higher education degrees and on its master's and doctoral programs.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the school's board of trustees voted on the change this week.

The newspaper reports that because of the change, 75 of Benedictine's 100 full-time faculty and staff will lose their jobs. About 520 students currently enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs will have to find another school next year.

Options include the Catholic school's main campus in Lisle or its branch in Mesa, Arizona.