Birmingham-Southern College, a United Methodist liberal arts college that opened before the Civil War (1856), is closing on May 31. Here is Alabama.Com:
After a long fight for a loan from the Alabama legislature, Birmingham-Southern College announced Tuesday that it will close its doors on May 31.
“The Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to close the College after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program on which our future depended failed to win sufficient support in the Alabama House of Representatives. Without that funding, the College does not have the resources to continue,” a letter from the Rev. Keith D. Thompson, the chair of BSC Board of Trustees, states.
“This is a tragic day for the College, our students, our employees, and our alumni, and an outcome so many have worked tirelessly to prevent. We understand the devastating impact this has on each of you, and we will now direct our efforts toward ensuring the smoothest possible transition for everyone involved.”
Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, represents the Bush Hills area near the college and, for more than a year now, has worked on legislation to help give the school a lifeline. She told AL.com Tuesday morning that it was unlikely that a revised loan bill will pass through the House when lawmakers come back from spring break next week.
“If they had to vote on the bill today, I can honestly tell you they would not have the votes in the House,” she said.
The small, private liberal arts college announced last winter that, after years of financial troubles, it would need support from the state to stay open. Officials initially asked for $30 million in funding from the state legislature, $5 million from the city and considered a $2.5 million request from the county government.
Throughout last year’s legislative session, leaders worked with local and state officials to stave off closure — and recruit new students. In April, Birmingham-Southern announced plans to keep the college open, citing “encouraging” news from the legislature.
Read the rest here.