BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — Birmingham-Southern College will close at the end of May following a year and a half long effort to obtain bridge funding. The announcement came at the end of March, after the College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on the decision after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program, failed to get the support it needed to move forward.
"Once we realized the bill was not going to go to a vote, we knew our options were up and expired," said BSC president Daniel Coleman in an interview with ABC 33/40 on March 28.
Coleman explained at that time, their first priority was to make sure the 400 students in their first year, sophom*ore and junior years, were able to have options to transfer. In an effort to help those students, Coleman said there were conversations with dozens of colleges, bringing them on campus, to allow students to find a new home for the fall.
Nearly a month and a half after the announcement, the future of Birmingham-Southern College's campus remains uncertain.
On Thursday, Birmingham-Southern College did not have anyone available to answer questions, however the following statement was sent to ABC 33/40 attributed to Virginia Loftin Vice President for Advancement and Communications:
BSC continues to have conversations with several interested parties, but we have no definitive agreements with any entity at this time.
In the March 28th interview with Coleman, he said that in selling the campus, they have two objectives.
"One is to get a good price and two is to make sure we have an owner here that will benefit the neighborhood here, Bush Hills, College Hills, they have been tremendous friends to us and we want to make sure we leave them in a good spot," Coleman said at that time.
That is echoed by members of the community.
"I think that's a good thing, someone comes in immediately right behind them and keep it going, it's a good thing," said George Crenshaw. "If it's Alabama A&M it should benefit the community a little more, with the location, where it's sitting."
Alabama A&M University offered $52 million to buy BSC.
Shannon Reeves, the Vice President for Government Affairs and External Relations said if purchased, it would be a stand alone, independent campus. He described it as the model that is in place at other Universities such as what UAB is to the University of Alabama and Auburn Montgomery is to Auburn.
Reeves said the goal would be to try and open classes in the fall.
"We've been at this for months now, if we can get in early enough, we have the summer to make the transition," he explained.
Reeves said negotiations are still ongoing, but is confident the campus could be operational by Fall of 2025. He said the hope is to retain credentialed faculty as much as possible if the offer is accepted. He explained that BSC's board still has to review the offer, but believes Alabama A&M is the best fit.
"10% of our students in Huntsville come from Birmingham," said Reeves. He also spoke about the large alumni market in Jefferson County and the 'tremendous support system,' as other reasons for being a good fit.
Reeves said if negotiations are reached, the first objective is to resolve all the debt BSC has.
"They have a lot of debt. We want to first put up the cash to retire that debt and ensure that BSC walks away from the land debt free," said Reeves.
Reeves said a team was sent down to the campus for three days to look at mechanical things, electrical work, etc.
"There is at least $30 million in deferred maintenance that we will write checks for to get it to our standard."
Reeves reiterated he is confident based on how AAMU operates, there would be at least 1,000 students on campus by Fall of 2025 and projected in three to five years, there would be 3,500 students, which wouldn't include distant learning and those taking online classes.
"There are 1,500 beds on campus, so we want to take advantage of that and give students a great experience," said Reeves.
He said in Huntsville, apartments are leased to house those students there and foresees operating similarly to that in Birmingham.
"If students had a Birmingham option that covers their degree program, you have a lot of other students that will come to Birmingham," said Reeves.
If the purchase were to go through, AAMU said there is a commitment they wouldn't break the campus up, sell any parts off or lease it, adding it would be one whole institution. Investments would be made, according to Reeves, that would enhance campus security and pave around the campus.
"Retail follows people," he said.
Reeves said the goal is to have retail along Arkadelphia Road and places where students can eat.
"We are not trying to erase Birmingham-Southern's legacy. We want to build on top of that," said Reeves, adding that they would have annual BSC reunions where classes can come back and have festivities where they can still be recognized.
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Birmingham-Southern College graduates its final class next week.
BSC is also affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Center, located on the campus houses the office of the bishop and district offices. We reached out to learn more about what happens to all of that. The following statement was given to ABC 33/40:
The North Alabama Conference Board of Trustees is evaluating various options for the operation of the United Methodist Center in the current building or another location.
