September 9, 2016 J 1m Donche SS
Mayor + City or NASHUA
Ms. Barbara E. Brittingham, President
Commission on Institutions of Higher Learning
New England Association of Schools & Colleges
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
RE: Daniel Webster Coliege
Dear Madam President:
As Mayor of the City of Nashua, I am writing relative to the hearing to be held on September 22, 2616 by the
New England Association of Schools and Colleges regarding Daniel Webster College.
The City of Nashua requests that you allow time for Daniel Webster College to develop a transition plan to
new ownership prior to taking any action affecting Daniel Webster College’s accreditation. The City of
Nashua is encouraging non-profit institutions of higher learning to merge with or acquire Daniel Webster
College in a way that will keep the Nashua campus open. .
and want to make sure that they can continue their education i in an’ uninterapied fashion.
Furthermore, for decades Daniel Webster College has been an important educational institution in Nashua.
This was particularly true. before the college was acquired by ITT. We hope that by returning Daniel Webster
to a non-profit status with a strategic merger or acquisition with a strong public stitution, that long tradition
can be continued.
Daniel Webster has a strong. Aviation Sciences program and. long term association a with the Nashua Airport. It
is a pivotal player in educating qualified candidates for jobs i in the aeronaitical and engineering fields. These
jobs are with employers such as BAE o jati traffic: controllers and airport personnel.
The biggest concern expressed bye em : finding qualified people to fill skilled
Positions. With its strong programs, in aviation. scienvees ‘and engineering, Daniel Webster can be a key player
in meeting those needs. DG ae
Tam sure you can appreciate t the City. of Nashua’ s sensitivity to any y discussion that would negatively impact
Daniel Webster College’s accreditation. ae Ce
Tn closing, it is-our hope that New England , Association of Schools & : Colleges will maintain Daniel Webster
_ College’s accreditation in order to develop time for a merger or acquisition plan to be developed.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposal and if I can be of any additional assistance please
do pobieyitate to contact me at your € earliest convenience.
Jim Donchess
Mayor
Ce: Michael Diffily, President of Daniel Webster College
Edward MacKay, Commissioner of Higher Education
Brian McCarthy, President of the Board of Aldermen
229 Main Street > PO Box 2019 » Nashua, New Hampshire 03061-2019
603.589.3260 « fax 603.594.3450 * NashuaMayor@NashuaNH.gov
www.NashuaNH.gov
