The University of Detroit Mercy will open a new branch campus in the suburb of Novi, marking the first time in its 100-year-plus history it has done so outside Detroit.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Detroit Mercy has bought the former home of South University, a private for-profit chain.
University leaders say the acquisition is chance to get a building already set up for the type of spaces need to launch new health-related programs of study.
"We're not leaving the city of Detroit," Detroit Mercy President Antoine Garibaldi says. "This (building) just checked off all the boxes. It was really tough to decide to go outside of the city of Detroit. There just weren't the right locations in the city of Detroit."
The new 40,0000-square-foot facility comes with classrooms, offices and everything Detroit Mercy needs to jump right in, including a parking lot with about 250 spaces, Garibaldi says.
In it will go programs for various health profession sections. It also will enable the university to start new programs.
The university is in discussion with health care partners regarding prospective new graduate programs and also expects to offer professional development programs, including continuing dental education, at the new campus.
