PHILIPPI, W.Va. — A number of West Virginia colleges and universities are stepping up to provide aid to Alderson Broaddus University students as the private institution in Barbour County plans to close its doors.
The state Higher Education Policy Commission voted Monday to confer degrees at AB after the university failed to pay more than $700,000 in utility bills to the City of Philippi.
The decision has put AB students in limbo about where to transfer and how long that would take to continue their education. Seniors who are scheduled to graduate from AB at the end of the fall term may return to complete their degrees on schedule since AB won’t officially shutdown until Dec. 31.
Glenville State University is among the institutions who are offering a path forward for AB students who cannot return to the Philippi campus this fall. GSU President Dr. Mark Manchin has decided to award scholarships to all AB students. GSU also will guarantee housing placement and will help with financial aid.
After yesterday’s difficult news, the Glenville State University family and friends extend their heartfelt support to Alderson Broaddus students, faculty, and staff.
Those interested in enrolling or transferring may contact admissions@glenville.edu or call (304)-462-6130 pic.twitter.com/8hIl0PfAP3
— Glenville State University (@gopioneers) August 1, 2023
Those interested in enrolling or transferring to GSU may contact admissions@glenville.edu or call 304-462-6130.
Fairmont State University officials said they were “saddened” by the news of the revocation at AB.
Fairmont State invites Alderson Broaddus students to transfer, offers one-time scholarship.
See the full release below.⬇ pic.twitter.com/jc1wn1aHwv
— Fairmont State University (@FairmontState) August 1, 2023
“We empathize with the distress the AB community must be feeling, and while we can’t mitigate their shock, we hope to ease some of the uncertainty and fear Alderson Broaddus students might be experiencing,” FSU wrote in a statement Tuesday.
FSU is located about 40 miles from the AB campus, making FSU the nearest public, four-year higher education institution. Officials there said AB students still have time to apply and enroll at FSU for fall classes, which start on August 21.
“We are prioritizing any applications for AB students and have assigned a Transfer Admissions expert to expedite these applications, and we will do our best to make admissions decisions for Alderson Broaddus students within 48 hours,” FSU stated.
On-campus is still available this fall for students who choose FSU. Officials said they will waive the housing application fee and prorate the cost of housing and meal plans depending on an AB student’s entry, ensuring they are not disadvantaged by an uncertain move/transfer date.
Fairmont State has also created the Battler Transfer Scholarship, a scholarship for transfer and first-time freshman students from AB to support their transition and degree completion. AB students that commute to FSU for the fall semester will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship. AB students that live in on-campus housing will receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship. The new scholarship can be stacked on top of other scholarships.
Students who would like to enroll or transfer to FSU may contact Lisa Jones at Lisa.Jones@fairmontstate.edu or 304-367-4855.
West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon is also encouraging AB students to apply. Accepted students will be given guaranteed housing placement, financial aid opportunities and support.
“We will provide these students with fast and free priority application and thorough transcript evaluations,” Wesleyan officials wrote in a statement. “We grieve with the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Alderson Broaddus University and are committed to providing emotional and spiritual care during this challenging time.”
Those interested in transferring to Wesleyan are encouraged to contact admissions@wvwc.edu or 304-473-8510.
Statement Regarding HEPC Decision on Alderson Broaddus University https://t.co/p5rno0Iojl pic.twitter.com/jWZd7F0jd4
— West Virginia Wesleyan (@WVWesleyan) July 31, 2023
Davis & Elkins College is also letting AB students know they’re still accepting applications for the fall semester. The college said they will provide students with a “rapid” admission process and offer the tools and resources for student success.
Students and families are encouraged to contact Chanda Collette by emailing Collettec@dewv.edu or calling 304-637-1429 for transferring to D&E. New students should contact Angie Scott by emailing scotta3@dewv.edu or by calling 304-637-1983.
West Virginia University is waiving application fees for AB students and will offer transfer scholarships for students who meet the criteria.
Charleston-area institutions are also offering a helping hand to AB students. The University of Charleston said they believe in the “power of education and the need for collaboration and support in times of need.” Interested students are asking to visit www.ucwv.edu/admissions/ for more information.
West Virginia State University President Ericke Cage called it a “challenging moment for Alderson Broaddus University.” He said WVSU is committed to supporting AB students by waiving their application fees and providing an expeditated transcript review to ensure admission for this fall.
For more information about transferring to WVSU, call Vonda Matthews in the WVSU Office of Academic Affairs at 304-766-3189 or email vonda.matthews@wvstateu.edu.
The fall semester at WVSU begins Aug. 14.
Shepherd University said AB students can apply for free and priority transcript reviews.
“There are so many similarities between Alderson Broaddus (AB) and Shepherd—our values, our academic programs, our student services, our campus environment—that we truly feel AB students would be at home at Shepherd,” said Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, Shepherd president. “You are warmly welcome here!”
HEPC Chancellor Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker said it will be a difficult process to transfer students, but she’s confident it can be done in a timely manner.
“The help is there and I think we will be able to do this,” she said on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.” “I’m not going to pretend like it’s going to be easy, but I do think that we’ll be able to take care of all the students who want to be taken care of here in West Virginia.”
About 750 students have enrolled in AB in recent years. The first day of the fall semester there is scheduled for Aug. 21.