Dear Jefferson College and Radford University Faculty and Staff:

As summer has progressed, the various subcommittees, as well as the Executive and Steering Committees, have provided continued engagement and valuable guidance for the merger of Jefferson College of Health Sciences into Radford University. Experienced faculty and staff, working alongside administrators from Carilion Clinic, Jefferson College and Radford University, have been working tirelessly in support of the complex – yet exciting – merger to be completed in late summer of 2019 prior to the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. Today’s outreach to both campuses serves as a follow-up to our July 2, 2018 message. And, we are pleased to report that, as a result of the diligent work of the subcommittees, the Steering and Executive Committees have thoroughly reviewed and recently acted upon a multitude of recommendations.

Earlier today, the Executive Committee affirmed the Steering Committee’s prior approval of additional academic programs:

• The Jefferson College Medical Laboratory Science (Bachelor of Science and Certificate) programs will be added to the curriculum and offerings in Radford University’s Artis College of Science and Technology.

• The Biomedical Sciences (Bachelor of Science) program will be housed within the Department of Biology in the Artis College.

• The Jefferson College Nursing: Pre-License (Bachelor of Science) program will accept the Radford University curriculum with the addition of online classes and new electives.

• The Biology and Chemistry minors previously offered by Jefferson College will transition into the existing Radford University program of study.

• Pending state and SACSCOC approval, the current Occupational Therapy Assistant (Associate of Applied Science) program will be taught out at Radford University and a new Occupational Therapy Assistant (Bachelor of Science) program will be developed.

The following Jefferson College programs will be accepted and fully integrated into Radford University’s academic portfolio and will be housed within a new department in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services:

• Healthcare Administration (Master of Science);

• Healthcare Management (Bachelor of Science);

• Health Sciences (Doctorate);

• Health Sciences (Bachelor of Science); and

• Public Health (Bachelor of Science).

The Student Services Subcommittee recently made a series of recommendations in order to ensure continued services, such as police, identification, parking and registrar. The Information Technology Subcommittee also provided recommendations regarding the wired and wireless networks, internet connection, e-mail platform and user and coordinated support. The recommendations from both subcommittees were reviewed and affirmed for next steps and subsequent implementation as part of the merger. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the Merger Initiative website.

At this time, the Human Resources Subcommittee is working diligently to combine the numerous personnel and benefits policies that currently govern both institutions. The subcommittee will share their conclusions about its recommendations upon completion.

In an ongoing effort to provide timely updates on the progress of the merger and informative perspectives of our students, faculty and staff, Merger News, a periodic e-newsletter, debuted late last month. Merger News provides the latest updates on the Jefferson College and Radford University merger and includes the following features:

• News about the merger with updates from our key planning committees;

• Information about upcoming events, like town hall meetings where you can learn more;

• Feature stories about a variety of students, faculty and staff on both campuses; and

• Profiles of opportunities the merger will provide to current and future students, faculty and staff.

We sincerely appreciate all the hard work to-date in bringing the merger and our vision closer to reality. Each member of the Jefferson and Radford families serves a vital role in making this initiative successful for our students and our communities.

With Blue Healer and Highlander Pride,