126-year-old institution prepares to close.
Tough financial times have been taking its toll on students and their parents, but a number of colleges and universities are feeling the heat too. Dana College, a small and financially struggling Lutheran school located in Blair, Nebraska, had planned to sell the school to a for-profit entity, but that change in ownership fell through when the transfer of accreditation was denied by the Higher Learning Commission.
Dana College has graduated it final class.
Now, instead of welcoming 300 new students to the campus this fall, the school is preparing to shut its doors, and has turned its attention toward helping its current students transfer to new schools.
Accreditation Denied
On Mar. 17, 2010, The Lutheran magazine reported that Dana College was to be sold to a for-profit company, Dana Education Corp., with the intention of keeping the school’s faculty and programs in place while also doubling enrollment to more than 1,000 students. But the Higher Learning Commission has refused to transfer accreditation to DEC.
Through this year, Dana College has been operating at a deficit and had sought to raise $12.5 million to help the school recover financially. When the fundraising fell far short of that goal, the school turned to investors. In March, an agreement was made to sell the school, but that sale has now unraveled due to the decision of the accreditation body.
Student Transfers
Dana students entering who are in their senior year are being welcomed by the University of Nebraska Omaha and Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, schools that have promised to help them finish their coursework with minimal interruption.
Other schools have announced that they will accept Dana transfers as well including nearby Midland Lutheran College, Creighton University, York College, Luther College and more than a dozen other institutions.
Advising Sessions
Beginning on July 6 and lasting through July 9, Dana College will be hosting Student Advising Sessions with the Registrar. Advisers will discuss with students their major and progress towards a degree; how to request transcripts for accepting institutions; provide contact information of accepting institutions; discuss teach-out vs.transfer options; and answer related questions.
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