On Monday, a spokesman for Troy University requested a change to an online news article that claims the school could potentially close one of its three satellite campuses.
The article, published on Monday via AL.com, claimed that Troy is considering closing its Dothan campuses and instituting cuts at other satellite campuses, such as those in Montgomery or Phenix City.
The news site claimed to derive its information from comments made by Troy vice chancellor of financial affairs Jim Bookout during a budget hearing for the Alabama Commission of Higher Education (ACHE) in November.
Along with its main campus, these three campuses form Troy’s presence in Alabama. However, the university maintains teaching sites around the country and in Asia, according to its website. The majority of the teaching sites in the United States are in the Southeast. One remains in San Antonio.
According to the article, however, Bookout said that Troy now only has nine teaching sites and that enrollment in its satellite campus is declining.
Though it states the university is weighing a possible closure of its campus in Dothan, the article specified later, “Bookout said the review is not so much about closing facilities as it is about ‘justifying adding in-class programs to the campus’ and assigning faculty to teach on those sites.”
The article also discussed the history of Troy’s restructuring efforts in the face of rising operational costs. It claimed the university cut its total workforce by 14% between 2017 and 2023.
ACHE officials proposed a 6.84% budget increase for public higher education institutions earlier this month, citing inflation.
On Monday afternoon, Troy spokesman Matt Clower told 1819 News that the university had requested a correction from AL.com over the article.
“During his presentation to ACHE, Dr. Jim Bookout, Senior Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs, alluded to broad plans to evaluate the strategic role of our Alabama campuses,” Clower said. “However, it was never stated there would be a closure.”
“There are no current plans to close the Dothan Campus or any of our Alabama campuses,” he continued. “We value our history and partnerships in the Dothan community. The adult, non-traditional students who have been the primary students for the Dothan Campus are increasingly choosing online classes. However, the Dothan Campus provides valuable support and resources for both in-class and online students in the Wiregrass.”
Clower also said that leaders at Troy “are actively working to align resources to ensure our campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City continue to offer programs and services that meet the needs of the local community.”
UPDATE 4:00 p.m.:
The university sent an email to faculty and staff this morning stating that the article was “not an accurate reflection of Dr. Bookout’s comments” and reiterating a statement similar to Clower’s.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.
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