Catholic university in southern California is closing

Marymount California University in Rancho Palos Verdes will permanently close on Aug. 31, 2022.

The university says in a news release announcing the closure that it has struggled financially in recent years because of declining enrollment, rising costs and the Covid-19 pandemic, which university leaders say prevented them from having the resources needed to support the institution’s operational expenses.

The board looked at other options that could provide the needed financial support, but ultimately deemed them unworkable.

“This is an extremely sad day for Marymount and for the legacy and traditions lost, both for our campus community and the local Palos Verdes area we have called home for more than 50 years,” said Brian Marcotte, university president.

Classes will conclude with the end of the summer term in August. No new students will be admitted for the fall semester. In the coming weeks, the university will work to help students transfer to other colleges and universities for the fall semester

The university enrolls 500 full-time students and employs 140 full-time staff.

The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary established Marymount Palos Verdes College in 1968 as a two-year Catholic junior college. In 2013, the name changed from Marymount College, Palos Verdes to Marymount California University to reflect its expansion to a multi-campus institution of higher learning, offering both four-year undergraduate degrees, as well as graduate degree programs.