HANCOCK COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - The merger between the University of Findlay and Bluffton University will not be complete this year.
The University of Findlay and Bluffton University merger was anticipated to be complete by the fall of 2025.
The University of Findlay and Bluffton University merger was anticipated to be complete by the fall of 2025, but federal regulations enacted in 2023 are pushing the completion of the merger back, maybe as long as two years.
The process is currently in phase one of two, and the two universities are looking to submit a "Change of Control" application to the Ohio Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission in May.
The process is currently in phase one of two, and the two universities are looking to submit a "Change of Control" application to the Ohio Department of Education.
During the application process, which could take over a year, the universities can make "plans" but cannot take any action on Bluffton curriculum or programs.
Once the Change of Control is approved, Findlay will be financially and legally responsible for Bluffton's assets and liabilities. But Bluffton will still have its own Higher Learning Commission accreditation and maintain its own enrollment and financial aid processes.
Once the Change of Control is approved, Findlay will be financially and legally responsible for Bluffton's assets and liabilities.
When they get the final approval from the regulators, the University of Findlay and Bluffton University will be one accredited institution on two campuses. But the timeline is not exact on when that will be.
For more details about the merger, check out the interview below:
INTERVIEW: News Director Jeff Fitzgerald of Your Hometown Stations sat down with President Katherine Fell from the University of Findlay and President Jane Wood of Bluffton University to discuss the merger between the two universities.
January 10, 2025, Press Release from Bluffton University: BLUFFTON, Ohio—University of Findlay and Bluffton University are actively working towards a Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Change of Control application with anticipated submission in May 2025.
Per federal regulations released in 2023, the higher education merger process is completed in multiple phases. While both institutions originally anticipated merger completion by Fall 2025, these updated regulations extend the timeline.
After the Change of Control application is submitted, both institutions enter an interim period, during which they will continue to plan the alignment that will occur post-merger. During this time, neither Bluffton nor Findlay can make any substantive changes to Bluffton curriculum or programs and Bluffton students continue their current educational pathways.
Once Change of Control is approved, University of Findlay becomes financially and legally responsible for Bluffton University’s assets and liabilities. Bluffton will continue to carry its own HLC accreditation and will maintain its own enrollment and financial aid processes.
Following additional rounds of approval from regulators, University of Findlay and Bluffton University will become merged into one legally accredited institution on two campuses. The timeline for these approvals is not yet determined and ultimately set by the U.S. Department of Education, HLC and ODHE.
Both institutions are committed to working in collaboration with all regulating bodies as per their requirements and will provide dates for merger milestones only after confirmation from regulators.
More information about the proposed merger can be found at www.findlayblufftonfuture.com.
