Northern Wisconsin College To Permanently Close This Spring
A Northern Wisconsin college announced via a press release on Wednesday, February 19 that it will be permanently closing this spring.
The Board of Trustees for Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin voted unanimously to close the college at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, later this spring.
The college was founded in 1892, making the upcoming closure the end of an educational legacy in Northern Wisconsin that is over 130 years old.
Here's why the closure is happening and what's next.
Why is Northland College closing?
In short, finances led to the decision to close the college.
In a statement from Ted Bristol, the Chair of the Northland College Board of Trustees, they explained “Despite the collaborative efforts of the entire Northland family, we no longer have the resources needed to navigate the economic and demographic storms endangering small, liberal arts institutions today.”
Bristol cited “Declining enrollment and soaring costs" as the core issues. He explained, "Even after enacting aggressive measures to cut costs and raise revenues, Northland College has no sustainable path forward.”
The release from the college explains the college's ability to finance itself had been in jeopardy since March of 2024. A Spring 2024 fundraising campaign with more than a thousand donors stepping up helped keep the school functioning for another year.
The money raised along with efforts to cut costs like reducing staff and "streamlining academic offerings" were all combined in an attempt to move into the 2024-2025 academic year navigating the financial challenges.
What does this mean for Northland College Students?
In a supplemental statement from the college's interim president Barb Lundberg, she explains that the school will continue as normal through the end of the academic year.
All ongoing coursework will be delivered for the winter and May term, and commencement will be held as scheduled.
The school will also work with each student to pair them with an academic advisor to help them find options to complete the degrees they were seeking at Northland College using other methods like transferring credits to other schools.
Lundberg was appointed to the role of interim president on the day of the announcement of the closure following the resignation of the college's previous president. Lundberg had previously been the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Northland College.
Lundberg explained in her statement that financial aid advisors will help students navigate the next steps, and athletic coaches will advise and guide athletes.
When will Northland College officially close?
As noted above, the school will serve students through May Term, which ends on May 23. Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Residence halls will close to students on May 25, and final grades will be due on May 27.
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