The mutual split resulted from an acknowledgement that both institutions' "fundamental philosophies have diverged" when "Claremont Lincoln decided to move away from its interreligious roots and become a secular-focused university" after CLU announced "a decision to discontinue several of its programs".

[15] In the same announcement, CST's board of trustees affirmed a commitment to maintaining relationships with its partner schools (the Academy for Jewish Religion (California) and Bayan Claremont).

Based on an early 1980's California law, CST believed this 1957 restriction was no longer applicable while TCC insisted it remained valid.

[18] Before the arbitration was completed, CST began negotiations in 2017 to merge with Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

[20][21] However, due to the ongoing litigation with TCC, CST was not able to move and in 2021 decided to "maintain its presence in Southern California with its main campus located in Claremont, while also retaining a partnership in Salem with Willamette".