IBL News | New York
UCLA announced this week that it is acquiring two properties belonging to Marymount California University (MCU) in Rancho Palos Verdes (24.5-acre main campus of MCU) and San Pedro (11-acre residential site) for $80 million. This purchase will enable the instruction of nearly 1,000 students in the next academic year and enhance the university’s impact in the region.
Marymount California University ceased operations earlier this year due to rising costs and declining enrollments.
The “shared educational purpose” of the two institutions prompted MCU to opt for UCLA ahead of the residential developers.
“We chose UCLA because it has a long track record of educational excellence, and is perfectly suited to build upon the mission of teaching and community service we established here,” Marymount California University President Brian Marcotte said.
In a message to the UCLA community announcing the news, Chancellor Gene Block said that “this acquisition will allow us to expand student access in line with UC’s 2030 goals, strengthen our connections to the greater L.A. region, and deepen our institution’s research and public service impact.”
The 2030 enrollment goals include increasing summer enrollment, expanding remote instruction as appropriate, and investing in resources to help students graduate more quickly.
UCLA and its Academic Senate will establish a task force of faculty members and administrators to study how best to utilize the property.
The MCU site adds to existing spaces UCLA operates in downtown Los Angeles and elsewhere. UCLA Health also has over 250 patient care facilities throughout the region.
