BIRMINGHAM — Several state universities are coming to the aid of Birmingham-Southern College students in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement of the college closing.
The University of Alabama System (the University of Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham and Alabama-Huntsville) said it is offering an expedited transfer process to all eligible students currently enrolled at Birmingham-Southern.
And the University of West Alabama said it will allow students to transfer seamlessly and earn academic and housing scholarships at UWA as they continue their studies in pursuit of bachelor’s degrees.
Auburn University is offering expedited assistance including an accelerated review of them for Auburn’s summer and fall 2024 semesters. The application fee for Auburn will be waived to those displaced BSC students, and exclusive virtual appointments and availability to connect with members of Auburn’s admissions committee are being made available online.
“True to Auburn’s land-grant mission, we are fully committed to assisting BSC students who would like to transfer to Auburn,” Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts said. “We will demonstrate our support for these students by providing the opportunity to remain in Alabama and continue in their academic pursuits at Auburn.”
In addition to quick reviews and waived application fees, Auburn’s admissions office will also attend a transfer fair at BSC on April 5.
The Birmingham-Southern Board of Trustees announced Tuesday that, due to financial problems, the 168-year-old college will close at the end of May.
The UA System said its expedited transfer process will be available at the three campuses – Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville.
“As a fellow institution of higher education, the University of Alabama System is grateful for Birmingham-Southern College’s distinguished contributions over the past 168 years and is saddened by the college’s recently announced closure,” the system said in a news release Wednesday. “The University of Alabama System is fully committed to supporting Birmingham-Southern students in this time of transition and ensuring they have the opportunity to remain in-state and receive an excellent educational experience.”
Any Birmingham-Southern student interested in transferring to a UA System institution will receive waived application fees and expedited review and credit transfer processing, if eligible, the release said.
Birmingham-Southern students interested in transferring to a UA System institution are encouraged to apply for transfer as soon as possible and to contact the following dedicated liaisons with any questions:
- University of Alabama: Jim Landers, [email protected]
- UAB: Bradley Barnes, [email protected]
- UAH: Chris Pinto, [email protected]
The University of West Alabama is also offering academic opportunities to Birmingham-Southern students, including scholarships.
“We are very sorry to learn of the impending closure of Birmingham-Southern College, and we empathize with the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are understandably hurt by this change in their lives,” said UWA President Ken Tucker. “We are committed to providing an outlet for BSC’s students, and we want to help them stay on track as they pursue their academic, extracurricular, and career goals.”
Admissions counselors are available to discuss scholarships available to any eligible BSC student who wishes to transfer to UWA, the school said in its news release. These competitive, attractive scholarships are renewable for up to four consecutive semesters. To be eligible for the academic scholarship, the transfer student must have a 3.0 or higher GPA and enroll as a full-time student in an on-campus program.
“We recognize that students affected by the school’s closure face many decisions right now, and we want to assure them that they will be offered the support and guidance they need to continue their success, in an environment where they can thrive,” Tucker said. “We are extending our hand to the students, and we will work with them as they earn the degrees that they have already set their sights on in a timely manner.”
In addition to quick reviews and waived application fees, Auburn’s admissions office will also attend a transfer fair at BSC on April 5.
“True to Auburn’s land-grant mission, we are fully committed to assisting BSC students who would like to transfer to Auburn,” Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts said. “We will demonstrate our support for these students by providing the opportunity to remain in Alabama and continue in their academic pursuits at Auburn.”
BSC students interested in transferring to Auburn are encouraged to apply for transfer as soon as possible and to contact Auburn’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 334-844-6425.
“We are here to do all we can to help ease this time of transition for BSC students amid a situation that is beyond their control,” said Joffery Gaymon, Auburn’s vice president for enrollment.
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