FranU to hold classes at Tracy Center

Undergraduate students from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University moved into their new digs Jan. 11 at the Bishop Robert E. Tracy Center, a partnership that FranU President Dr. Tina Holland called a “win-win” for both sides.

FranU is leasing approximately 11,800 square feet from the Diocese of Baton Rouge at the Tracy Center that includes the ballroom, the former library and two classrooms. The courtyard adjacent to the Tracy Center will also be available for the estimated 120 students who will be on campus daily.

Holland said the agreement resolves a space predicament for FranU and a financial riddle for the diocese. She noted that COVID-19 protocol restrictions have placed a premium on classroom space at the main campus, which consists of several former medical office buildings sitting in the shadow of the expanding Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

Holland said a significant portion of the classroom component for nurses has been done virtually but that has proven to be unsatisfactory, explain virtual learning is not  the “Franciscan experience.”

“We could do face to face (learning) if we could social distance but we did not have rooms big enough to do that,” she said. “In order to be able to reach all of the students and get them socially distanced, we had to put them in larger classrooms. We needed space for 40 students (per class) to be six feet apart.”

She evaluated several potential sites, including Our Lady of the Lake, a building built on the OLOL campus by the Franciscans for the LSU School of Medicine but those and other potential venues were not available.

“We work so closely with the diocese anyway, and we learned there was, as everybody, short on resources (within the diocese) with the (financial) hit during the pandemic. It was kind of a mutual realization we could have a win-win here,” Holland said. “They’re not using that facility, it’s income (the diocese) would not have and it’s going to be cheaper for us in the long run to rent and not have to renovate anything.”

The rent being paid by FranU will offset a portion of the costs of operating the building, which was previously used for short-term rentals associated with retreats and meetings which have been canceled because of social distancing requirements. Originally, the building housed high school students.

“Building strong local partnerships promote optimum synergy in our fundamental Christian goal – evangelization,” Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David said. “FranU has been instrumental in assisting the Diocese of Baton Rouge in this call.  From the Diaconate Formation Program, the Lay Formation Program, new endeavors that are currently being constructed and even by this lease agreement, the local church can be assured that our future is bright as we seek to form servant leaders in our community.  

“I am proud to have been one of the architects of these many partnerships.”

Holland said because the Tracy Center already included classrooms, the required upgrades were minimal, mainly focused on technology and a “little bit of sprucing up. It will be as state of the art as we have on our main campus.”

She said each classroom has been equipped with a camera and microphone so if a student is quarantined and cannot attend class, virtual learning will be available.

“One of the most important things (Bishop Michael G.  Duca) and (diocesan CFO Glenn Landry) said was that it’s nice to be able to have that revenue source and be such a mission fit,” Holland said. “It’s not like bringing in some other business; it’s another church entity. 

“We are doing the work of the church so it’s natural for us to come up with his kind of arrangement. (Bishop Duca and Landry) said it just feels good.”

Bishop Duca said Catholic universities exercise a critical role in shaping and educating professionals in society and in the life of the church, and is especially true of FranU and all of Louisiana. 

“Our several partnerships with FranU exhibit our unified resolve to make a positive contribution to Catholic education and healthcare,” the bishop said. “I could not be more excited about our continued collaboration.”  

Holland said along with the students, faculty and support staff will also occupy the space. She said everyone will be required to check in and out of each facility they enter, and masking will be monitored as well as social distancing. An electronic check-in system is also in place.

“They are nursing students so they are pretty compliant about this,” Holland said. 

“I think it’s really a great arrangement mostly because it solidifies the relationship and trust mutually between the university and the diocese,” she said, “The bishop has said how pleased he is to have a Catholic university in this diocese.”

“People don’t realize that even though (FranU) is not a diocesan university because it is in his diocese the bishop has a huge responsibility,” she added. “We answer to the church and he is our teaching authority. He serves on our board and that is really helpful.”

Holland said the initial agreement is for six months, adding “we’ll see how it goes” regarding any potential extensions.

“Any time you go into somebody’s turf there are going to be wrinkles to be worked out,” she said. “And if there is a need for us to occupy space there and if it continues to benefit the diocese, by all means we’ll explore the next steps.”