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+--- Topic: NORTHLAND COLLEGE, IN ASHLAND, IS CLOSING (/thread-605.html)
NORTHLAND COLLEGE, IN ASHLAND, IS CLOSING - My Northern Wisconsin - 02-19-2025
At the end of the academic year 2024-2025, Northland College will close in Ashland.
The college has been in financial jeopardy since March 2024. According to the college, "More than one thousand donors responded to a spring 2024 fundraising appeal and the college reduced costs by streamlining its academic offerings and cutting staff." Northland College began the 2024-2025 academic year with nine majors and a smaller number of students.
However, the college was not able to sustain itself. Therefore, the Northland College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 for the closure.
According to Ted Bristol, Chair of the Northland College Board of Trustees, “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....With declining enrollment and soaring costs, it takes more to operate the College than we raise in tuition. Even after enacting aggressive measures to cut costs and raise revenues, Northland College has no sustainable path forward.”
Interim President Barb Lundberg assured the students that this year's coursework will continue and commencement will take place as scheduled. Students who are not graduating will be advised on options, such as teach-out agreements with cooperating institutions and transfer to other colleges.
The college was founded in 1892 and was the first US college to fully integrate an environmental focus with its liberal arts curriculum.