GLENVILLE STATE WILL FIGHT CLOSURE - Plans Being Made

(01/30/2003)
The Legislature's proposal to close, merge or privatize two schools by 2007 has Glenville State College fighting to survive with a new alumni e-mail address and letters to weekly newspapers.

Glenville's Board of Governors have a new e-mail address, advocates@glenville.edu, in an effort to inform the alumni and gather support to prevent the school from closing.

The press release says "No colleges were named, but it is our responsibility to make certain Glenville State College is not a target."

Officials said by process of elimination, Glenville State would be "on the short list for closing, merging or privatization"

Concerned alumni have been calling GSC on a daily basis, said Rosemary Thomas, Glenville's vice president for college advancement. Last year's rally to fight a legislative study of Bluefield, Potomac and Glenville state colleges drew 150 people over a 24-hour period who made the trip from Glenville to the Charleston.

"Sometimes a fight has to band people together and I think that's really what's happening," said Alumni Director Donna Shaffner.

The bill has already passed the House and is currently pending in the Senate Education Committee.