Alumni gather on the stage to lead the graduates in singing the alma mater at the close of聽Wells College's 156th, and final, commencement ceremony in Aurora in May.
As Wells College approaches its closing date, it has not submitted agreements for where institutional and student records will be stored, according to the school's accreditor.聽
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education revealed Thursday that Wells "did not comply with multiple requests" for the finalized agreements. The accreditor asked the college to submit an updated teach-out plan by Wednesday, June 26, that includes an agreement for "the permanent disposition of student records so that students and alumni will be able to obtain accurate and complete transcripts now and in the future."聽
When Wells College announced it will close at the end of the academic year, Manhattanville University was identified as its legacy partner. On , the college has said student records will be moved and housed at Manhattanville.聽
However, Middle States has not received an agreement between Manhattanville and Wells. The commission is also seeking more information about the "process and date by which records have been transferred to the final repository."聽
Middle States also confirmed the college will close by June 30.聽
"As of July 1, 2024, Wells College will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education," the commission said.聽
After the college's sudden announcement on April 29, Middle States criticized Wells for not properly planning its closure. A commission liaison conducted a virtual guidance visit on May 8, but there won't be a follow-up visit due to the upcoming closure.聽
In May, Middle States approved 20 of the teach-out agreements between Wells and other institutions that will allow students to continue their studies. The commission said Thursday that it has approved four more teach-out agreements with Albion College, Beloit College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Roanoke College.聽
The update from Middle States was posted on the same day Wells College announced it has "parted ways" with Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, who served as the school's president since 2015.聽
With Gibralter out, the college will be managed by Robert Cree, chief financial officer, and Susan Henking, vice president for academic and student affairs.聽
Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.
Alumni gather on the stage to lead the graduates in singing the alma mater at the close of聽Wells College's 156th, and final, commencement ceremony in Aurora in May.
