Dictionary definition of “suitcase college”

suitcase college

n. a non-residential institution of higher education; a commuter campus. Also suitcase school, suitcase university. Subjects: English, Education

Editorial Note: The first cite uses a different (and rarer) meaning synonymous with matchbook college.

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Citations: [1925 Bridgeport Telegram (Conn.) (Mar. 19) “Nation Menaced by “Mountebank” Medical Colleges” (in Chicago) p. 9: Dr. Pinkham said Connecticut had been one scene of the operations [of ] “suitcase colleges and vendors of harlequin diplomas.”] 1953 Portsmouth Herald (N.H.) (Nov. 21) “Students Oppose5-Day Week” (in Durham) p. 2: Student objection voiced at the meeting was that a five-day class week would make the institution a “suitcase college” and would impair the traditional weekend program of extracurricular activities. 1954 Diane Woolley Moore Washington Post and Times Herald (Aug. 29) “Plan Campus Life With Care” p. S8: As a day hop you may otherwise miss that real college feeling—especially at a “suitcase college” like Maryland University. 1984 Jonathan Friendly @ Rutherford, N.J. New York Times (Oct. 6) “Ailing University Seeks New Image To Lure Students”: Although Florham-Madison is the most residential of the three campuses, it is still “a suitcase college,” with many dormitory residents heading home on weekends. 1986 Washington Post (Aug. 28) “Rising Insurance Costs End Alcohol Sales at Western Md. College” (in Westminster, Md.) p. M11: Western Maryland College could run the risk of becoming a suitcase school, said Shank, adding, “There won’t be too much to keep people here on weekends.” 2001 Judy Putnam @ Lansing Grand Rapids Press (Mich.) (May 14) “Colleges work to speed graduation” p. A1: We’ve got a reputation of being a suitcase university because students go home in the weekend. 2005 Jon Mark Beilue Amarillo Globe News (Texas) (Sept. 25) “Buffs get defining victory”: For years, students couldn’t be bribed at what was often referred to as a “suitcase college” to stick around for the weekend for a football game.

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