Mount Ida college sold, students can transfer to UMass Dartmouth

Apr 6, 2018

UMass Dartmouth will be accepting students from Mount Ida College after it announced the UMass system reached a deal to purchase the university on April 6.

In a statement released by Mount Ida’s Board of Trustees, officials said students in good academic standing will automatically be accepted to UMass Dartmouth for the Fall 2018 semester.

The “UMass Guarantee” also ensures students will pay $13,600 in tuition at UMass Dartmouth, living-learning communities will be established for transferring students, and current credit will transfer over.

Students met with UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Robert E. Johnson at Mount Ida in Alumnae Hall. First-year students and sophomores will meet at 11 a.m. Juniors and any student who missed the earlier meeting will get together at noon. There will also be a transition open house from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. for students to learn more about topics like financial feasibility and housing.

The 74-acre campus in Newton will go to UMass Amherst and be renamed the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst. The campus will be used for students who are in preparation programs in the Greater Boston area.

News of the purchase comes after the Mount Ida officials acknowledged a struggle for resources among private institutions.

“The challenges for small colleges in the current economic and demographic landscape are significant,” Mount Ida President Barry Brown said in a press release. “Working with UMass, we have devised a way forward that ensures the well-being of our students, enhances the academic capacity of the region, and preserves Mount Ida’s legacy and history.”

Before reaching the agreement with UMass, Mount Ida officials were in talks with Lasell College, but ultimately the partnership didn’t pan out.

Johnson said the college is ready to welcome the new students.

“We are fully prepared to offer Mount Ida students the private college educational experience they are accustomed to at a public university value,” Johnson said.

Students with questions can visit Mount Ida’s website at https://www.mountida.edu/umass/#question-one or by phone at (774) 929-3000.