Arcadia Closure- FAQs

Why did the university close the center?

The Los Angeles area has been hit hard during the current economic crises with many more teacher layoffs, school closures and budget restrictions due to declining enrollments in K-12 schools and financial pressures from the State of California fiscal crisis.  These external forces plus the high cost of marketing and lease spaces have contributed to a downturn in the center’s enrollment thus making it difficult to operate the center in sound financial manner.

Will any more new students be admitted to Arcadia?

The recommendation of the Cabinet to the Board of trustees was to not admit any new students to the center starting Fall Quad 2 or October 26, 2011.

Will former students that have not completed a program but stepped out for a leave of absence be allowed to finish their program?

Students that have either dropped out or submitted a formal leave of absence in the last two years will be contacted to inform them of the closure and encourage them to contact their former advisor to determine what they need to finish their program. 

When will the Arcadia regional center building close?

The current lease of the building expires on May 31, 2012.  We anticipate scheduling courses in summer to finish out most students and the final course offerings are anticipated to be offered fall semester 2012.  An announcement about the location starting June 1 will be made once it is finalized.

What are the next steps?

The first phase of the close out is to determine what courses currently enrolled students need to take.  Faculty advisors will be submitting their Program plan sheets for each of their advisees to Jerry Childs, who has been asked by the Provost and SOE Dean to be the Teach Out Project Director.  Jerry will work with the SOE Dean and Arcadia Director (Dr. Amstead) to develop a course schedule to help these students finish their program. Once this plan has been developed students will be asked to come in and sign a Program Completion document that puts in writing what the students needs to finish and how the university will be scheduling those courses.  We anticipate these meetings with the Teach Out Project director will take place in early October so that the Fall quad 2 and spring schedules can be finalized.

What if students want to transfer to another university to finish?

The SOE Dean is meeting with other Education deans in the vicinity to facilitate this process for students that want to transfer or might need more time to finish coursework after the center closes.

Can currently enrolled students begin new programs at Arcadia?

The commitment of PLNU is to help currently enrolled students finish their current programs. If a student wants to add a new program that they can finish before the closure of the center they would need to fill out a “change of program” form and submit to Jerry Childs, Teach Out Project Director.  If the student has taken one or more of the courses required in the program and/or  can finish the program within the timeline this request will most likely be approved.  If they cannot finish the program within the timeline other arrangements would be made to help them finish at another PLNU regional center or another university.

What about finishing fieldwork?

Many students at Arcadia are enrolled in fieldwork for programs in the MAT credential program, Clear Credential, School Counseling (PPS), Child Welfare & Attendance (CWA), and Educational leadership.  If students register for the coursework but are not done with all aspects of the program they will continue to work with their assigned faculty member until the work is done. When the work is completed the faculty member will assign the grade.

What if MAT Students do not meet requirements to be placed in Clinical Practice for fall semester 2012?

If for some reason MAT Credential students do not meet all prerequisite requirements to be placed in clinical practice for the final semester of operations, they will be placed by SOE personnel at another center and be supervised by a PLNU faculty member living near the placement.  Students can still be placed in Arcadia area schools even if the SOE does not have a center there.

Any further questions should be addressed to:

Dr. Gary Railsback

Dean, School of Education

Point Loma Nazarene University

3900 Lomaland Drive

San Diego, CA 92106

(619) 849-2323

Email: GaryRailsback@pointloma.edu