University of Charleston to open Beckley center - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Officials with the University of Charleston this morning announced they will open a Beckley center near Mountain State University.

The center will serve as a primary teach-out partner with MSU, according to information from UC.

UC and MSU are cooperating in the venture, officials announced during a news conference this morning. The teach-out partnership will be aimed at current Mountain State University students.

"The closing of Mountain State University is sad and tragic," UC President Edwin Welch said in a news release. "For students, for faculty and staff, and for the Beckley and Martinsburg communities. UC is committed to filling the void that will be left and to maintaining a private higher education presence in southern West Virginia and in the eastern panhandle."

Mountain State recently lost its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The accreditation has been temporarily restored through the end of this year.

Under the plan, UC will continue to use the Beckley center after MSU's accreditation expires, officials said during the news conference. UC will evaluate Mountain State programs and personnel at all locations during the coming fall semester.

"This keeps a significant economic engine in Beckley," said MSU Interim President Richard E. Sours in a news release. "We are thrilled at this opportunity. This assures that a four-year college presence will continue in Beckley under the UC banner."

As part of the agreement, UC said it will maintain undergraduate and graduate programs. MSU teaching staff will also receive first consideration for any jobs at the UC Beckley campus. A more permanent agreement will be worked out between both school over the next few weeks.