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Frequently Asked Questions about the possible merger of Seattle Midwifery School (SMS) and Bastyr University (BU).
SMS is excited about the opportunity to merge with Bastyr University. By joining resources we bring together two organizations who share complimentary missions. Additionally, both were born in Seattle in 1978 and share a reputation for excellence in education. There are many details to work out, and the leadership of SMS and BU believes there are no major obstacles standing in the way of a merger. The best interests of our students— in the Midwifery Education Program and the Simkin School--are foremost in our minds during the negotiation process.
- Why is SMS doing this now?
We are moving toward a merger because the timing is right for both of our organizations. Offering a regionally accredited degree to our midwifery graduates has long been a part of our strategic plan. It has not been achievable as a small, independent school, and by joining resources with a much larger regionally accredited institution we can.
The ongoing challenge of operating a school with limited financial resources has put our mission in jeopardy. Our goal is to strengthen SMS so that we can focus on what we do best - educating and inspiring leaders in the childbirth professions.
- Has the SMS community been part of this decision making process?
SMS convened a group of nearly 40 stakeholders in September 2008. This group, the SMS Advisory Committee, met and reviewed information, asked questions and identified key issues in the consideration of this merger. Work groups in three areas met between September and December to research areas of concern and answer questions brought up by the Advisory Committee. In December 2008 the Advisory Committee made a unanimous recommendation to the SMS Board of Directors to pursue formal negotiations to merge SMS with BU. In December 2008, the Board unanimously ratified the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.
- What does due diligence mean?
Due diligence is a business term to describe the process of evaluating a merger or an acquisition. It is a time for each organization to get a close look at each other and make sure that the joining of the two organizations is a reasonable business decision.
- Will the name of the school remain the same?
No. Details are still being worked out, but currently the plan is that the midwifery school would be called the Department of Midwifery and the Simkin School would become the Simkin Center. Both programs may be located within the BU School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences.
- How long will the due diligence process take?
We expect that this process will take up to six months to conclude.
- Is SMS going to stay on the Talaris campus?
We expect to remain on the beautiful Talaris campus through the Spring of 2010.
- How soon will this all take place?
We don’t have an exact date when the merger would take place, but the best interest of all of our students is foremost in this decision-making process.
- Would Midwifery Education Program graduates be Naturopathic Doctors?
No. The Department of Midwifery would be distinct from the current Naturopathic Midwifery Program currently offered at BU. The BU Department of Midwifery proposed in the merger is not an ND/LM program and students will not have to be enrolled in the Naturopathic Medicine program at Bastyr.
- Is BU accredited?
Bastyr University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This is the same accreditation as the University of Washington. The Department of Midwifery (formerly the Midwifery Education Program) would become the first university based, direct-entry midwifery degree program in the United States! Very big news!
http://www.bastyr.edu/about/default.asp?view=accred
- Is BU a public or private institution?
Bastyr is a not for profit corporation and a private educational institution. Check out their website and learn more about their history. We were both born at the same time!
http://www.bastyr.edu/about/default.asp?view=founding
- What kind of a degree will graduates receive?
We are in the process of determining the appropriate level of degree for completion of the midwifery program at Bastyr. This work should be done very soon and we will know more by the end of March or early April. We anticipate that graduates of the new Department of Midwifery will receive an articulated Masters Degree in Midwifery.
- Will alumnae midwives be able to get a degree?
SMS will be talking with the leadership of BU about creating a mechanism through which past graduates might be able to earn a degree. We cannot make any promises that this will be possible, but it certainly is a topic of conversation and something we will continue to promote.
- Would I be able to get a degree or academic credit at the Simkin Center?
SMS leadership is discussing the appropriate certificate model for courses completed at the Simkin Center (SC) at BU. It does not seem likely that SC courses will qualify for academic credits. More information will be available as we continue to research this issue.
- When will the new Simkin Center schedule come out?
We plan to release the schedule of courses for 2010 in July of this year.
- Will tuition rates change?
BU Department of Midwifery will most likely increase. We do not yet know what the difference in tuition will be. What we do know is that students receiving a degree from a regionally accredited university are eligible for increased financial aid and scholarships. We believe the added value of a degree, coupled with more opportunities for financial assistance will create greater opportunities for our students.
We do not yet know if tuition for BU Simkin Center courses will change, but it is unlikely that the change would be significant.
- What does this decision mean for 2009 Midwifery Program applicants?
The details of the requirements for 2009 Midwifery Education Program applicants are being worked on now and are a high priority. We expect to have that information by the end of March and will keep all of our applicants informed.
- Will SMS instructors remain the same?
SMS deeply values our top notch instructors and considers them to be at the heart of SMS educational excellence. It is our intention to bring them with us into the new BU programs and offer more opportunities for their professional development.
- How many students will be accepted to this new post-merger program?
We don’t expect that class sizes in the midwifery program will be much larger than their current size. If there is demand we may consider starting two cohorts per year.
The Simkin School will continue to offer at least as many courses as they currently do. The number of students per course depends on the classroom space available at BU.
- Will Midwifery Program applicants still be eligible for financial aid? How about foreign students and SEVIS?
Yes. Because of the degree, midwifery students will be eligible for more federal financial aid than in the current program. Additionally, foreign students will receive support from BU student services to help facilitate their immigration status.
- What about foreign-trained midwives? Will there be a mechanism for certification?
This is another great topic of discussion and we hope to find a way to help our foreign trained midwives gain licensure in the United States. Additionally, we believe that this merger will make it easier for Canadian students to navigate the Multi-jurisdictional Midwifery Bridging Program (MMBP). Visit http://cmrc-ccosf.ca/node/213/ for more information. We will continue to investigate and work with our contacts at the MMBP to facilitate a streamlined path to Canadian registration.
- How does SMS staff feel about this decision? Will staff lose their jobs?
SMS staff are excited about the opportunities this merger brings. Being a degree-granting institution has been a strategic goal for many years. It is our intention to provide for all of our staff but it is not yet known what exact job positions will be created through this merger. We have time to figure out these important details. Leadership is committed to retaining staff wherever possible within the Bastyr University system.
- Will SMS lose its “all-women” feel?
Women-centered education and the provision of woman-centered maternity care would remain the focus for both the Midwifery Department and Simkin Center at BU. Students attending our programs will most likely continue to be 99.9% female.
- Would SMS retain its sense of history?
Absolutely! It is critical to SMS and BU leadership that the history and strong reputation of SMS come with us into our new home. Photos, artwork, the SMS organizational timeline, all the things that make our current facility a nurturing learning environment will be adopted at BU.
- Will there be expanded student services?
Check out the Bastyr website to see some of the great student resources available. http://www.bastyr.edu/admissions/
- Might there be a birth center in the future?
A Seattle community birth center is greatly needed and many options are currently under serious consideration. Who knows what the future will bring, but we’d all like to see a thriving Seattle area birth center.
- If I donate money to SMS will it go to Bastyr?
Donors can still earmark their donations to go to the midwifery department or Simkin Center at Bastyr. Restricted gifts are strongly encouraged! It is our hope and desire to create scholarship funds for both the Midwifery Department and Simkin Center students.