In an effort to speed up Belmont’s “Vision 2020” goal of increased enrollment, Lipscomb and Belmont are merging.
The two schools will be renamed the singular Belscomb University. The merge is expected to be complete by fall 2019.
“I think it’ll be interesting to merge the two campuses because they’ve had such a rivalry — like Battle of the Boulevard and things like that — for so long,” Belmont Vision Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Arnold said. “It’s just going to be fun to see how students react. That’s what I’m excited for.”
President Lowry will announce and provide further information about the merge on Tuesday during The Gathering service.
“It makes sense why Lipscomb and Belmont are merging,” Lumination Managing Editor Anna Rogers said. “There’s no where for us to go other than vertical, so we’re reaching out to other schools.”
Due to Belmont’s specialized underground parking system, the two schools will be connected by the underground tunnel in front of Belmont’s Bell Tower. This should also help Lipscomb students by providing increased parking.
Lipscomb shuttle drivers will also be receiving a promotion as an above-ground shuttle service will allow students to travel back and forth between campuses.
Arts and humanities classes will mainly be held on the current Belmont campus, while math and science classes are expected to stay at Lipscomb.
Although one of the goals of the merge is to create increased student enrollment, it will also enable the two student bodies to come together. Despite no longer having the anticipated “Battle of the Boulevard” rivalry, President Lowry and Belmont’s President Fisher hope the merge will create a sense of unity among the students and also in the Nashville community.
Lipscomb’s social clubs and Belmont’s sororities and fraternities will soon combine to form large cohesive clubs complete with members from each school.
Students will soon be able to take an online quiz in order to find out “What Belmont sorority/fraternity or Lipscomb social club are you?” The hope is that this will aid current club presidents in compiling a list of members for the upcoming academic school year.
The two student news networks will be co-run by the current Lipscomb and Belmont student news staff. In an effort to keep with the spirit of the merge, the two students news networks will be combined to create the Illuminated Vision.
Although it is yet to be determined who will be the president of Belscomb University, it has been speculated that it will be decided during Lipscomb’s annual dodgeball tournament held in the fall of 2017.
For more information, visit The Belmont Vision.
Additional reporting by Becca Risley
Photo courtesy of The Belmont Vision
This article is a work of fiction and should be taken as such (Happy April Fools Day!!).