Hunter
03/28/23
Citing increased operating costs and lack of funding, Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant has announced they will be ceasing operations at the end of the academic year.
The announcement came Tuesday from the college’s Board of Trustees. They said that despite unprecedented enrollment growth, the institution has seen increased costs driven by inflation, a significant drop in philanthropic giving, and being denied federal COVID funding from the State of Iowa, leading to their decision to cease operations after 181 years.
Iowa Wesleyan has reached agreements with William Penn University, Upper Iowa University, University of Dubuque and Culver-Stockton College so that students can complete their degrees for a comparable cost to their current tuition.
KILJ Radio reports that when the university closes on May 31, the physical campus will become the responsibility of the US Department of Agriculture.
The email, from University President Christine Plunkett and Iowa Wesleyan Board of Trustees Chair Robert Miller said:
We have a difficult and painful decision to share about the future of our beloved Iowa Wesleyan University.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the Board of Trustees has made the decision to close Iowa Wesleyan University at the end of this academic year due to a lack of financial support. The decision is based on a combination of financial challenges – increased operating costs due to inflationary pressures, changing enrollment trends, a significant drop in philanthropic giving, and the rejection of a proposal for federal Covid funding by Governor Reynolds. As you can imagine, this is a profound decision that will be deeply felt by everyone in our community and throughout Southeast Iowa.
Our immediate priority is the students, faculty and staff who embody Iowa Wesleyan today. We have secured four teach-out agreements with William Penn University, Upper Iowa University, University of Dubuque, and Culver-Stockton College so students can complete their degrees. The teach-out plans ensure the students can complete their program on time and for a comparable cost to Iowa Wesleyan. Additional teach-out agreements may be added.
President Plunkett and her leadership team will work closely with faculty and staff as the university prepares for closure. Several meetings will be held over the next week so everyone can develop a plan to secure new employment.
We are tremendously proud of the innovative educational model Iowa Wesleyan University built to serve our rural area and provide an influx of graduating students, many of whom remain in the region to live and work. We are disappointed Governor Reynolds did not approve funding for Iowa Wesleyan through her Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.
The Board and administrative leadership understand you will have many questions and emotions around this announcement. We acknowledge that you will want answers about your future, and we will have a website to provide initial Q&A information and resources for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners to outline the path going forward.
Please note that we are committed to serving all students through the end of this term and will work tirelessly to create a smooth transition to another college or university.
It is with both gratitude and sadness that we share this announcement. Thank you, in advance, for your caring support for each other as we move forward during this difficult time. Today and tomorrow… We are Wesleyan!
