Emma Wordsmith
In their college years, many young individuals form lasting friendships. They bond over sports, music, and shared academic interests.
Creating those enduring connections requires universities to remain open for an extended period. In a span of less than two years, Victoria Hebert experienced the closure of two colleges. Fortunately, she found solace in a close-knit group of friends who also faced abrupt shutdowns at the same New York institutions. Following the announcement of Wells College’s closure this year, these young women are preparing to transfer to a third educational institution in Michigan this autumn.
Victoria’s mother, Mia Mazza, commended the resilience of the group amid the tumultuous times brought on by the pandemic and the unexpected campus changes. The disruptions have colored their academic journeys since high school freshman year.
Discovering in April that Victoria needed to seek out a new college for the third time caught both mother and daughter off guard. The closure news of the private University of the Arts in Philadelphia further jolted the academic landscape, as Wells College’s dissolution announcement followed shortly after. Two students from the University of the Arts first learned about the closure through a news article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
A class action lawsuit filed against the University of the Arts highlighted allegations of consumer protection law violations by college administrators and an inadequate notification process regarding the institution’s financial instability, following the unexpected closure.
While college closures are not uncommon, recent data indicates a surge in closures since the 2008 financial crisis. The pace of closures may accelerate further, with approximately one higher education institution per week announcing plans to shut down or merge in the first half of this year, according to estimates. The ongoing crisis in college financial aid is expected to exacerbate the situation, potentially impacting enrollment patterns, especially at smaller schools.
The Biden administration has taken a proactive stance on college oversight, aiming to address the root causes of student debt and unexpected college closures. Despite emphasizing student loan forgiveness, President Biden is committed to preventing sudden college shutdowns without warning, calling for improved monitoring mechanisms.
Identifying at-risk private colleges has been a longstanding challenge due to flawed metrics within the federal government. Recent high-profile closures underscore the urgent need for federal intervention to safeguard the academic and financial interests of students and faculty members.
“It’s hard to see a world where colleges stop closing,” remarked Robert Kelchen, a prominent higher education professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “The challenge lies in determining when a college is at risk of closure.”
Victoria Hebert’s tumultuous college journey began with an unexpected email from the president of Cazenovia College, a longstanding institution facing financial uncertainties. The abrupt decision to cease enrolling students for the upcoming academic year left many families, including Victoria’s, in shock.
After transferring to Wells College, Victoria’s second academic refuge also crumbled when news of its closure reached her one morning. The rapid turn of events triggered emotional responses from both students and families, underscoring the disruptive impact of unexpected college closures.
Despite assurances about the school’s financial stability, the closure of Wells College blindsided students and parents alike, reinforcing the need for enhanced transparency and accountability in higher education institutions.
The closures at Cazenovia and Wells Colleges not only shocked the campus communities but also prompted scrutiny from accrediting bodies like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The loss of accreditation status added to the challenges facing students and faculty members.
Nicole Biever, chief of staff at Middle States, reiterated the importance of colleges responsibly managing their finances and providing accurate information to accrediting bodies to avert sudden closures.
“Institutions close; it happens,” she acknowledged. “We expect that institutions will plan for that closure.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s assessment of private colleges through the “financial responsibility composite score” has long been criticized for its outdated metrics and limited predictive value in identifying financially vulnerable institutions.
The Department’s latest available composite scores for the University of the Arts and Wells College suggest financial stability based on historical data. However, the reliance on antiquated metrics has raised concerns about the efficiency of the evaluation process.
Established in the 1990s, the composite score has undergone minimal modifications, leading to calls for substantive changes to enhance accuracy and timeliness in assessing colleges’ financial health.
Addressing these challenges entails significant financial and operational commitments that the Education Department, facing budget constraints, may struggle to meet. Amid ongoing debates over federal funding for education, the need for comprehensive reforms to protect students from sudden college closures remains a pressing concern.
In response to the limitations of the composite score, recent Education Department regulations aim to address loopholes used by colleges to manipulate rankings and foresee potential closures. The revised rules include measures to penalize institutions engaging in deceptive practices or exhibiting signs of financial instability.
The Education Department’s efforts to strengthen oversight mechanisms come amidst broader reforms to student loan programs and enhancements to college financial aid processes. However, delays in releasing critical data on colleges’ financial status suggest potential challenges in balancing competing priorities.
As the Education Department grapples with evolving demands and regulatory changes, stakeholders emphasize the importance of timely and accurate assessments to safeguard students and taxpayers from the fallout of sudden college closures.
Contributing: USA TODAY data and graphics reporter Carlie Procell
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