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Higher Ed Provides Options For Alderson Broaddus Students

Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission Sarah Armstrong Tucker said the dire state of the school’s finances brought this action by the commission.

Updated on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 at 4:47 p.m.

Monday, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) revoked Alderson Broaddus University’s authorization to award degrees in West Virginia.

These actions come as a result of the university’s outstanding utility bill of more than $775,000.

A few years ago, the private Baptist university was placed on notice by the commission over a financial shortfall. Last week, the City of Philippi informed the university that its utilities would be cut by Monday, July 31, if it fails to pay an outstanding bill of $775,598.70.

Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission Sarah Armstrong Tucker said the dire state of the school’s finances brought this action by the commission.

“The commission did not believe, and I do not believe, that Alderson Broaddus would have been able to stay open for the course of the semester,” Tucker said. “As I [said] in the commission meeting, that is the worst-case scenario for their students.”

Student-athletes and international students will be arriving at the private school as soon as this week. Fall classes are set to start next month.

Tucker said students could lose federal aid and transfer credits if their school were to shut down mid-semester, so the commission stepped in.

“I’m certain that lots of students feel like this moment, maybe the worst-case scenario for them,” Tucker said. “But had we allowed the institution to bring students on the campus, and they failed in the middle of the semester, all of the money that students had paid, they would be out all of their federal financial aid.”

According to a statement from the Chairman of the Alderson Broaddus University Board of Trustees and Governors James Garvin, the board voted to develop a plan of dissolution for the university Monday night.

“The Alderson Broaddus Board of Trustees voted tonight to develop a plan of dissolution for the university in the aftermath of this afternoon’s decision by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The Board and the administration will be communicating more tomorrow about its specific plans for assisting students, faculty and staff dealing with the changes resulting from today’s action by the HEPC.”

Since Monday’s action, schools throughout the Mountain State and beyond have offered assistance and options to the university’s roughly 800 students.

“Frankly, all of the private and public institutions in the state of West Virginia have stood up,” Tucker said. “They are all ready and willing to take students as transfer students and to make this happen as seamlessly as possible.”

The Higher Education Policy Commission worked directly with Davis and Elkins College and West Virginia Wesleyan College to offer scholarships and expedited enrollment for students who had planned to attend or return to Alderson Broaddus in the fall.

The following schools have issued releases stating their offerings for incoming Alderson Broaddus students:

West Virginia State University
- Will waive the application fees for Alderson Broaddus students and will provide an expedited transcript review to ensure admission for the fall 2023 semester.
Glenville State University
- President Dr. Mark Manchin has decided to award scholarships to all ABU students. In addition, GSU will guarantee housing placement and the school’s financial aid staff will help with equivalent financial aid packaging.
Davis and Elkins College
- Will provide students with a rapid admission process and offer the tools and resources for student success.
West Virginia Wesleyan College
- Will provide these students with fast and free priority applications and thorough transcript evaluations.
Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA
- Those students who reach out to Point Park will undergo an expedited process that will include a transcript review, financial aid package and discounted housing.
Frostburg State University, Maryland
- Frostburg State University’s Office of Admissions will host a virtual event exclusively for AB students on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Shephard University
- AB students can apply to Shepherd for free and get priority transcript reviews to assess how many college credits may be applied toward their degree process. Shepherd is also guaranteeing on-campus housing availability and that any outside financial aid awarded to students, such as federal loan and grant programs and private scholarships – will be honored.

HEPC Votes To Close Alderson Broaddus University

A Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) vote has put Alderson Broaddus University one step closer to closing its doors.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

A Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) vote has put Alderson Broaddus University one step closer to closing its doors.

During an emergency meeting Monday, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted unanimously to revoke the private university’s authorization to confer degrees in the state, effective Dec. 31, 2023.

The institution is not permitted to enroll new students beginning with the fall 2023 semester. However, seniors scheduled to graduate at the end of the fall term may return to complete their degrees on schedule.

The commission took this action after receiving and confirming information that Alderson Broaddus University’s financial condition renders the institution unable to create a stable, effective and safe learning environment for its students.

“While I truly wish there had been a viable path forward for Alderson Broaddus University to continue operating, our foremost priority is to help their students continue their education as seamlessly as possible,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education, in a press release. “We have been working with other colleges and universities in the state, and we are grateful to have institutions that are eager to help these students transfer and complete their degrees. The Commission takes its role in authorizing private institutions to operate within West Virginia very seriously. This is a role that the Legislature entrusted us with to safeguard students, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place last week but was postponed at the request of Gov. Jim Justice.

HEPC Cancels Emergency Meeting To Address Alderson Broaddus University’s Financial Status

Updated on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 5:20 p.m.

An emergency meeting scheduled Friday between Alderson Broaddus University officials and the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC), which oversees accreditation for post-secondary institutions, has been canceled at the request of Gov. Jim Justice.

Original story posted July 27, 2023

An emergency meeting has been scheduled Friday between Alderson Broaddus University officials and the Higher Learning Commission (HEPC) which oversees accreditation for post-secondary institutions.

A few years ago the private Baptist university was placed on notice by the commission over a financial shortfall.

On Wednesday a notice posted on the West Virginia Secretary of State website indicated Friday’s meeting is “to address an imminent financial loss or other imminent substantial harm to the public entity, its employees, or the members of the public that it serves.”

Earlier this week, the City of Philippi informed the university that its utilities will be cut by Monday, July 31, if it fails to pay an outstanding bill of $775,598.70.

The notice of termination would affect water, sewer, garbage and electric services across the entire Alderson Broaddus University campus if the bill is not paid. About 800 students attend the university.

The city’s action is another indication of much bigger problems at the private university. This week, officials revoked a decision to bring on a new interim president. The state’s higher education chancellor also visited the campus this week to assist students with transfers should the university shut its doors.

Friday’s Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. will address the university’s finances but the HEPC’s primary agenda is the “Revocation of Alderson Broaddus University’s Authorization to Confer Degrees.”

Updated on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 3:20 p.m.

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Jim Justice issued the following statement regarding Alderson Broaddus University:

“I’m calling on the HEPC to delay this emergency meeting because no one wants to see this university close if there’s a way to avoid it. It may very well be inevitable, but we’re going to try really hard to find a pathway,” said Justice.

“I’m going to meet with the HEPC, AB leadership, and legislative leadership to make sure we exhaust every single avenue we can before drastic action is taken. It’s simply too important, not only for this prestigious university and its alumni, but also for the entire community of Philippi and Barbour County.”