Petition to Consider Relocating Mercy College of Ohio to the Former Lourdes University Campus

The recent fire has created an opportunity to evaluate what will best serve Mercy College students—not only for today, but for the future. Rather than simply rebuilding, we encourage Mercy College leadership to consider relocating to the former Lourdes University campus.

Why This Move Benefits Students and the Future of Mercy College

1. A Safer and More Comfortable Learning Environment

Student Safety and Peace of Mind

Student safety should be a primary consideration when determining the future location of Mercy College. The current campus is located in an urban area near Cherry Street in downtown Toledo, where some students have expressed concerns about personal safety, particularly when arriving for early morning classes, leaving evening lectures, or walking to and from their vehicles. Mercy College itself provides guidance to students on off-campus safety practices, reflecting the importance of remaining aware of personal safety in an urban environment.

While the City of Toledo has reported declines in several major crime categories in recent years, concerns about crime and vehicle break-ins remain a factor in how many students perceive the area. 

Relocating to the former Lourdes University campus would provide a more traditional campus setting where students could focus on learning rather than worrying about where they parked or whether they feel comfortable walking to their vehicles after class. A campus designed with ample parking, open green spaces, and a dedicated collegiate environment can contribute to a greater sense of security, stronger school pride, and an atmosphere that supports academic success.

Healthcare students already face rigorous academic and clinical demands. They deserve a campus where they can concentrate on their education with confidence and peace of mind, rather than having safety concerns become an added source of stress.

2. Parking That Meets Student Needs

Parking has long been one of the biggest frustrations for Mercy College students. The current campus offers limited parking, often forcing students to park farther away or compete for available spaces.

The former Lourdes campus offers significantly more parking, making it easier for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to access campus while reducing stress before class and clinical experiences.

3. Room for Continued Growth

Mercy College is expanding. With the launch of a CRNA program and the potential addition of future Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner programs, enrollment is expected to continue growing.

More students means greater demand for:

Parking
Classrooms
Laboratory space
Simulation centers
Faculty offices
Student study areas
The former Lourdes campus provides the space needed to support this growth without overcrowding existing facilities.

4. A True College Campus Experience

Students should have a campus they are proud to call their own.

The former Lourdes campus offers:

Beautiful green spaces
Walking paths
Student gathering areas
Dedicated study spaces
A traditional collegiate atmosphere
A welcoming campus environment promotes student engagement, school pride, collaboration, and overall well-being—factors that contribute to academic success.

5. Long-Term Vision Instead of a Temporary Solution

Rather than rebuilding to meet today’s needs, Mercy College has an opportunity to build for the next 20–30 years.

Relocating to a larger campus would allow the college to:

Expand healthcare programs
Increase enrollment
Recruit top faculty
Strengthen partnerships with regional hospitals
Continue serving the growing healthcare workforce shortage
6. Investing in the Student Experience

Healthcare education is demanding. Students spend countless hours in class, labs, simulation, and studying. They deserve a campus that reflects the quality of the education they are receiving.

A larger campus with adequate parking, room to grow, and a more traditional college environment would improve the overall student experience and position Mercy College as one of the premier healthcare institutions in the Midwest.

Our Request

We respectfully ask Mercy College leadership and the Board of Trustees to seriously evaluate relocating the college to the former Lourdes University campus. This decision is about more than recovering from a fire—it is about creating a safer, more accessible, and future-focused campus that supports students, faculty, and the continued growth of healthcare education for generations to come.