BREAKING: Birmingham-Southern College to cease operations in May

Keith Thompson, Chair of the Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees shared the news today that the college is ceasing operations on May 31, 2024.

Below is the letter announcing the school’s closure after more than 160 years in Birmingham.

“As Chair of the Board of Trustees of Birmingham-Southern College, it is my sad duty to let you know that BSC will cease operations on May 31, 2024.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to close the College after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program on which our future depended failed to win sufficient support in the Alabama House of Representatives. Without that funding, the College does not have the resources to continue.

This is a tragic day for the College, our students, our employees, and our alumni, and an outcome so many have worked tirelessly to prevent. We understand the devastating impact this has on each of you, and we will now direct our efforts toward ensuring the smoothest possible transition for everyone involved.

BSC leadership has already begun detailed planning for students who will be forced to transfer to other institutions as well as those who had planned to complete degree requirements this summer. Individual meetings will be scheduled when students return from spring break.

BSC will also offer as much help as possible for employees, almost all of whom will be displaced by May 31, with the rest to follow over the summer. Between now and the end of spring term, BSC will continue normal operations, including classes, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. 

Forward Ever Day, the Grad Expo, Honors Day, Capping, and Commencement will happen as planned, and we are working on plans for 

meaningful events for alumni prior to closure.

We know everyone will have questions, and we are committed to providing the answers. More information for students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College will be posted at www.bsc.edu and updated as details become available.

Today is also a terrible day for Birmingham, for the neighborhoods who have surrounded our campus for more than 100 years, and for Alabama. Through this challenging year and a half, we have talked a lot about BSC’s more than $90 million annual economic impact on Alabama, with $68 million of that right here in our city. Beyond that loss – which is enormous — the loss of a nationally ranked liberal arts college that has contributed so much to this state and to the world – and still had so much to give – is incalculable.

Keith Thompson, Chair of the Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees

This a developing story. 

Below are past Bham Now stories about the challenges the college faced over the past year and its struggle to remain in operation.

• 1/31/2023 — Alabama needs Birmingham-Southern College. Here’s how you can help save it.
• 2/21/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College generates $97.2M for Alabama, independent study finds
• 3/21/2023 — 24 founders of technology-related companies support Birmingham-Southern College
• 4/6/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees votes to remain open
• 6/7/2023 — Bill designed to help BSC and other Alabama colleges now law
• 11/14/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College receives support from United Methodists, private donors
• 11/28/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College to receive $5M in loans from The Magic City
• 12/12/2023 — Birmingham-Southern College changed his life. Now this student is fighting to save the school

Statement from Mayor Woodfin

After the news about BSC’s closure Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin made the following statement:

Statement from Mayor Randall L. Woodfin Concerning Birmingham Southern College

Word of the decision to close Birmingham Southern College is disappointing and heartbreaking to all of us who recognize it as a stalwart of our community.

I’ve stood alongside members of our City Council to protect this institution and its proud legacy of shaping leaders. It’s frustrating  that those values were not shared by lawmakers in Montgomery.

To President Coleman, you have our undying gratitude for your relentless pursuit of solutions during this difficult time. Your dedication to BSC will not be overlooked. And to the many students past and present who call BSC home, know that you are part of the fabric of this city.

Forward, Ever.

-Mayor Randall L. Woodfin

How to you feel about BSC’s closure? Tell us what you think on our social media channels at @Bhamnow