Students Anxiously Question the Future of Leading Mortuary Science School: What’s at Stake?

CINCINNATI – Students at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) are worried about the school’s leadership and its future. Founded in 1882, CCMS is the oldest mortuary school in the U.S. and is often called “the Harvard of mortuary schools.”

Recently, a petition started by students has almost 1,500 signatures. It calls for a “vote of no confidence” in the current leadership. Students say they feel stressed and uncertain. “The morale is really low,” one student shared with FOX19. “It feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us.”

Concerns center around the recent firing of four employees, including two instructors. The school has confirmed these firings but has not shared specific reasons, citing confidentiality policies. One student mentioned they learned about the firings on January 14, right before the semester began, making it hard for students to make changes to their schedules without losing money.

“They came in and said, ‘Hey, these staff were fired,’ and then left the room,” the student explained. The petition states that the dismissed staff were vital for providing support and education.

Another student added, “You can’t just replace certain people without affecting the quality of our education.” Students fear these changes will lower the quality of their learning experience.

In response, CCMS stated that students will still receive a high level of education from the current instructors and that the curriculum will remain intact. However, the petition notes that the firings caused sudden changes to class schedules and access to course materials.

While the school’s leadership refrained from discussing individual personnel matters, students are anxious for clarity and support as they navigate an uncertain academic environment.