Judson College in Alabama will cease operations beginning in July due to a worsening financial situation and an insufficient number of applications for the fall semester.
The school’s board of trustees made the decision last week upon learning that only 12 new students have committed to attend during the next academic year, while only 80 of 145 current enrollees were expected to return.
On May 4, two days before the scheduled board of trustees meeting, one of the college’s creditors called in the note on a loan.
“New donors did not materialize, student retention is much lower than expected and mounting debt pressures have increased,” Judson President W. Mark Tew told The Alabama Baptist. “The combined effect of these three items left us no choice.”
The college will begin laying off employees in the coming months as part of closure procedures. It has vowed to provide assistance to the employees in their job transition.
University of Montevallo Offering Help
The University of Montevallo said it is ready to open its doors to students who will be affected by the recently-announced closure of Judson College.
The goal is to assist students in a smooth transfer process into any appropriate academic program that the university offers. Academic scholarship opportunities will also be available for eligible transferees.
“The University of Montevallo was a women’s college for the first 60 years of its now 125-year existence. That, along with our intimate, family setting, makes us a perfect institution for Judson students to continue their study and preparation for their life and career,” UM President John W. Stewart III said.
“Indeed, all our transfer students are welcomed with a seamless and enjoyable transfer experience,” he added.