BECKLEY, W.Va. — West Virginia University President Gordon Gee is denying claims that the pending purchase of the former Mountain State University in Beckley is about creating a “West Virginia University South.”
“Our hearts are pure on this issue. It is really about representing the best interests of the state,” said Gee.
He was a guest on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline” shortly after meeting with members of a Mercer County delegation at the State Capitol who were raising concerns about competition on behalf of both Bluefield State College and Concord University.
Gee said duplicating programs already in place at those schools with a move for WVU into Raleigh County is not the intent.
“The worst thing that could happen in this process would be for us to diminish either one of those institutions,” he said. “My belief, though, is the fact that we will enhance the opportunities for both of those institutions because then, all the sudden, they have access to a much wider array of options and opportunities.”
Degrees for tourism, outdoor recreation and agriculture are among those WVU could possibly offer in Beckley along with a potential construction management program not available anywhere else in the state and a master’s degree curriculum in nursing. No degree list has yet been finalized.
There are still several steps before the sale is completed.
WVU has offered $8 million for the assets for the former Mountain State which shutdown after losing accreditation in 2012. As part of a class-action settlement with former students, Mountain State — the first college in West Virginia to have its primary accreditation revoked — agreed to sell its campus and buildings.
If the sale to WVU is approved as part of a larger settlement, much of the money from it would go to more than 14,000 former Mountain State students who saw their higher education disrupted.
Another portion of the settlement would be allocated to the University of Charleston for expenses. UC stepped in, both in Beckley and Martinsburg, after Mountain State’s abrupt closure. UC is currently looking for other properties.
Approval for the sale could come as soon as Friday during a scheduled hearing.
Previously, WVU officials had said the goal was to finalize the acquisition by the spring.