Moon Township, Pa. – Robert Morris University announced today it will no longer field NCAA Division I men's and women's ice hockey teams as part of a series of strategic initiatives intended to position the university to be amongst the most agile and professionally focused schools in the nation as it prepares for its upcoming 100th anniversary.

The university's senior leadership team shared these strategic initiatives, collectively called "RMU: Beyond 100," at the RMU Board of Trustees annual retreat last week.

The university will honor all scholarships currently being received by the student-athletes whose sports are being discontinued and will assist those who wish to transfer. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes who transfer from schools that have eliminated their sport do not have to sit out a season at their new school. The university has pledged to put all of its support services at the disposal of student-athletes, including academic, eligibility, and career advising.

"We are saddened for the student-athletes who will be unable to continue in their sport at Robert Morris University and are committed to assisting them during this difficult time," said RMU President Chris Howard. "However, this is the best course of action to leverage our strategic assets and position us for future growth."

RELATED: RMU Hockey FAQ

RMU remains committed to NCAA Division I athletics, and continues to field 15 Division I sports. By discontinuing Division I ice hockey, the university puts itself in closer alignment with similarly sized institutions. Approximately 55 student-athletes and seven staff positions will be impacted by this decision, which is effective immediately. 

Among the other initiatives presented to the board this week: 

• A new Center for Equity and Professional Advancement will be opened in the fall of 2021, funded in part by a $500,000 gift from retired technology entrepreneur and CEO A. George "Skip" Battle. The center will promote student diversity, inclusivity, academic excellence, and professional advancement and leadership for women and underrepresented students through mentorship, financial support, and personal development. 
• RMU will be departing as presenting sponsor of the Pittsburgh Speakers Series in downtown Pittsburgh in favor of hosting more events and opportunities for cultural and professional enrichment on its own campus, affording greater access to its students, faculty, and staff. This includes the long-standing CEO Lecture Series, which has featured leaders from the region's top corporations to network with students.
• The CEO Lecture Series takes place in the UPMC Events Center, which is once again booking live entertainment – including concerts – for its 4,000-seat arena. NEEDTOBREATHE is playing October 3, The Brothers Osborne on November 20, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on December 7. RMU also will play host in the fall to the Center for Independent Colleges Visiting Fellows Program, and the RMU Center for Innovation and Outreach has launched the Innovation Speakers Series.

"All these strategic initiatives, and everything we have accomplished over the past year, put us in a position of strength as we enter our second hundred years," said Howard.
 
The university is currently running 26 percent ahead of last year's pace in deposits for first-time freshmen for the fall semester. Among the university's other recent milestones was surpassing its goal in its record-setting $100 million fundraising campaign, nearly a year ahead of schedule. Thus far RMU has raised $108 million for its RMU 100: Ready to Rise campaign. That includes a $3 million gift from Netflix founder Reed Hastings to fund 20 full-tuition scholarships.
 
Additionally, in February, RMU launched a new dual-enrollment program with four community colleges, called RMU Gateway. The Gateway program provides students with additional financial assistance and an accelerated enrollment pathway in order to allow them to graduate from RMU in two years or less.
 
About RMU (rmu.edu)
Robert Morris University is a nationally ranked doctoral research university enrolling approximately 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. RMU offers fully online courses as well as a traditional residential college experience at its campus on 230 scenic acres 17 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The Colonials compete in 15 NCAA Division I sports, including basketball, football, volleyball, and lacrosse.

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