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GLENVILLE STATE MAY BE TARGET FOR CLOSURE - Legislature Needs Money For Workers' Comp |
| (01/15/2003) |
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Two of West Virginia's colleges or universities must close by 2007 so the state can pay-off the Workers' Compensation
debt, now reported to be about $3 billion. The closure bill was passed by the House on Monday, but the institutions are yet
to be named. Glenville State's President Dr. Thomas Powell said school officials were surprised when they read the bill Monday. "We met with Speaker Kiss this summer (and other officials) and they said all the colleges in the state were under the same scrutiny," said Powell. Statements made this week indicate the smallest colleges will be targeted. "People sometimes forget that our college is located in the most rural area of West Virginia," he said, and it would be easy ignoring the fact that "people in 10 counties need a comprehensive education." Powell has said the closure of Glenville State would leave a hole in an under served area of the state. Powell said his office received a call Monday expressing concern over Glenville's fate. They don't necessarily want their daughter to attend Glenville if it's going to close. Powell has contended for over a year there is a movement to close Glenville State. Higher education officials say they don't know which of the colleges would be closed, privatized or merged. "No one knows what institutions it will be," said House Education Chair Jerry Mezzatesta, stating that it would be the schools that are the "least economically viable." The closure bill excludes freestanding community colleges. . The House Education Committee passed the bill Monday in less than half an hour. Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Michael Mullen, who ultimately would have to make a recommendation about which colleges should close, said Monday's meeting was the first time he had seen the bill. A Policy Commission would have to conduct a study to see which college or university was the least productive. Last year the Policy Commission conducted a study on Glenville State, Bluefield State and Potomac State College of West Virginia University. Those institutions are likely to be targeted. The recommendations would be submitted by December 1. |
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