The MAC is really throwing these two a lifeline. Because they don't really fit the academic profile of the other MAC schools.
- This moves MAC south into two markets that are actually growing. Most of the MAC schools are located in smaller communities and the schools that are in larger metros have a slow growth profile (Kalamazoo and Buffalo are the only positive growth areas in the MAC). So, this a major positive for the MAC.
- Neither MTSU or WKU are research schools - all other MAC schools are R2 minimum. So, these schools are out of alignment on the research profile.
I really didn't see the MAC doing much during this round of change. The AAC pulled in questionable schools from a historical athletic profile. But, really concentrated on large metro areas with schools that had R1 (Rice, UAB, UNT)/R2 (FAU, UNCC, UTSA) research profile.