It is a sad day for Alabama where an alma mater is closing its doors once and for all after a century.
Birmingham-Southern College, a really old college in Alabama, is closing down at the end of May. The prestigious institution has been running out of money for a while and hoped the state would provide a loan. However, it did not work out.
The college ran into money problems as students were not signing up in enough numbers. Events like the Great Recession and COVID-19 made things even worse. They hoped the government would help them with a loan. But the State Treasurer Young Boozer declined their request as he was not sure if the college could pay the money back.
Some lawmakers tried to make a new law to allow a loan for the college.However, it did not materialise asnot everyone was in agreement. Some people didn't think it was fair to use taxpayers' money to help a private college.
The college tried hard for a year and a half to get enough money to keep going.
“This is a tragic day for the College, our students, our employees, and our alumni,” said Board Chair Rev. Keith D. Thompson in a statement. “But it is also a terrible day for Birmingham, for the neighbourhoods who have surrounded our campus for more than 100 years, and for Alabama.”
The college's closure marks an end of era as it has been around for over 100 years and is a big part of the Birmingham community. People are sad and worried as it will no longer open after May 31. Students will have to find new schools, and teachers will lose their jobs.
Leaders in Birmingham and even in the US government are sad about this. They say that the college was important for making leaders and helping the community.
“We are putting students first, and we will do everything we can to help them find the best place to continue their path to graduation,” said Provost Dr. Laura K. Stultz in a statement.
It will also leave a gap in Birmingham's economy and culture.
Several other small colleges are struggling because they depend on tuition money, having not enough savings and facing a lot of competition.