All FAQS – Wells College

All FAQS – Wells College
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All closure-related questions and answers, with search feature.
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When will the Village of Aurora take over ownership of the water treatment plant?
Tagged:
Community
Effective March 24, 2026 – The water plant and associated facilities formerly owned by Wells College now belong to the Village of Aurora.
Will HWS receive the contact information of Wells alumni?
Tagged:
Alumni
General
Legacy
Effective January 2026, HWS has received contact information of Wells alumni.
How can Wells alums update their contact and biographical information with HWS, such as address or career changes, etc?
Tagged:
Alumni
General
Legacy
Effective March 12, biographical updates may be sent to Executive Director of Alumni/ae Relations at HWS Melanie Sage,
msage@hws.edu
. HWS is updating its online form for such submissions and Wells alums are advised to check the form:
What happened to the statue of Minerva?
Tagged:
Alumni
Community
General
The statue of Minerva will be professionally repaired and placed on display at HWS.
How should Wells alumni and former students order transcripts and verifications of enrollment?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Legacy
Regulatory
Students
Beginning Monday, February 2, 2026, Hobart and William Smith will be processing transcript requests and verifications of enrollment as the Legacy school for Wells College.
Transcripts will still be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse. You may request your transcript by clicking on the link below or by going to
studentclearinghouse.org
If you have questions, please contact Clearinghouse Customer Service at (703) 742-4200 or
transcripts@studentclearinghouse.org
The Registrar’s Office of Hobart and William Smith can be reached at
registrar@hws.edu
; 315-781-3651.
I was awarded a 21st Century Leadership scholarship. What happens to that award?
Tagged:
Closure
Students
In most cases — depending on the practices of each teach-out institution – the names of Wells College scholarships, including the 21st Century Leadership Scholarship, will not be reflected in your financial aid offer. However, institutions who meet your net cost according to the teach-out agreement will have included those funds in the calculation of your financial aid. We encourage award recipients to still list the achievement on their resumes.
How might former employees receive employment verification?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Staff
Effective February 4, 2026, former employees are welcome to contact
hr@hws.edu
. Hobart and William Smith will fulfill requests.
How will alumni be able to bid on other asset items that Wells will auction?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
As of January 26, 2026, any and all asset auctions are as yet unscheduled.  Wells will conduct its disposition auctions through three professional firms: Christie’s, STAIR Galleries and Grace Auction & Estate Gallery.  Since we cannot know the interest in or connection to all items by everyone who may wish to bid, we will offer advance notice to alums and invite alums, and all others, to bid when auctions open. The timing of the many auctions is unknown.
What will happen to treasures we cherish, like Minerva and the Stagecoaches?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
As noted elsewhere, Minerva, stained glass windows that are moveable and Book Arts equipment become the property of Hobart and William Smith Colleges as part of our Legacy agreement.
The stagecoaches will be the property of Ledyard Farms (pending regulatory approval).
What will happen to Wells College’s campus and other owned real estate?
Tagged:
Closure
General
The Board must sell the campus in order to fulfill our financial and regulatory obligations, and in order to complete the wind-down and dissolution. There is no practical way that we can donate or transfer the ownership of the campus to another entity.
The College  engaged Ingenuity Advising to serve as project manager for the sale of the campus and after an RFP process, the College selected the international firm CBRE to manage the sale of the campus. CBRE posted information to 3 websites: CBRE.com, LoopNet and Crexi, and the offering also may be accessed through
wellscollegecampus.com
.  Notices regarding the sale were sent to a targeted group of 20 nearby colleges.  Approximately 500 college presidents received information about the sale. While there is no reasonable way to predict, we anticipate that the process of finding a viable buyer for the campus may take a year or more to complete.  Wells will not be selling Minerva, the stained glass windows, the stagecoaches, bells, or the Book Arts equipment, all of which are being protected and cared for until their ultimate homes, as noted in our Frequently Asked Questions.
What will happen to the campus?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
General
The Board must sell the campus in order to fulfill our financial and regulatory obligations, and in order to complete the wind-down and dissolution. There is no practical way that we can donate or transfer the ownership of the campus to another entity.
The College  engaged Ingenuity Advising to serve as project manager for the sale of the campus and after an RFP process, the College selected the international firm CBRE to manage the sale of the campus. CBRE posted information to 3 websites: CBRE.com, LoopNet and Crexi, and the offering also may be accessed through
wellscollegecampus.com
.  Notices regarding the sale were sent to a targeted group of 20 nearby colleges.  Approximately 500 college presidents received information about the sale. While there is no reasonable way to predict, we anticipate that the process of finding a viable buyer for the campus may take a year or more to complete.  Wells will not be selling Minerva, the stained glass windows, the stagecoaches, bells, or the Book Arts equipment, all of which are being protected and cared for until their ultimate homes, as noted in our Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the timeline for the sale of campus?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
Note: this is a sample timeline only
Step 1: Discovery and Preliminary Marketing Fall 2024
Step 2: Property Marketing Spring 2025
Step 3: Best and Final Offers Spring 2025
Step 4: Negotiations Spring-Summer-Fall 2025
Step 5: Due Diligence by successful bidder Winter 2026
Step 6: Closing Spring-Summer 2026
What happens if due diligence by the bidder fails to secure a closing?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
The next step, if a sale is not viable, would be an auction.
How will former Wells employees access employment records?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Legacy
Regulatory
Staff
For the immediate future,
former employees can continue to rely on Wells College for employment records.
This webpage will be updated with new instructions once records have been transferred to Hobart and William Smith under the legacy agreement.
Can Wells graduates donate to HWS to support Wells’ legacy there?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
General
Legacy
Yes. Gifts to the Wells Legacy Endowment at HWS can be made by visiting
How will this closure affect current students?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Students
The College adopted
an extensive teach-out plan, which assisted current students in transferring to other institutions
at equivalent costs and with credit transfer
.  Additionally, advisors and other support service staff were available to help students with this process. Each student had a personal advising to plan for their degree path.
What will happen to the Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA)?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
General
Legacy
Leaders of the WCA
are working with the HWS Office of Advancement to create programming and events that bring Wells graduates together.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges will announce details as appropriate.
How can alums gather together in the future?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Informal gatherings of Wells alumnae and alumni always have been a welcome aspect of the post-graduation culture and the Board hopes those gatherings will continue.  However, since the College has closed, it no longer has the ability nor resources to organize, facilitate, or host such events. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
has agreed to sponsor f
uture organized gatherings and details will be shared by them when available
What will happen to the WCA?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
The Legacy Agreement with Hobart and William Smith Colleges includes a continuing commitment for a reconstituted association of alumni and alumnae. HWS has agreed to announce when appropriate.
What will happen to existing and future donations and endowment funds?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Future gifts to Wells College will be used in compliance with our regulatory duties and to maintain operations during wind-down. Endowment funds will be transferred to Hobart and William Smith Colleges in a multi-step process as outlined in the Legacy Agreement approved by the New York State Supreme Court.
Why does the College continue to seek and accept donations?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Wells College
appreciates
alumnae/alumni donations
to maintain operations during wind-down.
What’s going to happen with PJ House?
Tagged:
Legacy
Real Estate
Paul Jones House in Aurora is under purchase contract with the Paul Jones House Preservation Alliance, Inc., subject to approval by New York State.  The PJHPA representatives are developing a plan for the home’s preservation and use.  Wells and the PJHPA have signed an early occupancy agreement to allow the prospective new owners the opportunity to access the house for maintenance and planning purposes.  For more information see the PJHPA’s Facebook Page at
Why is the transition of the water treatment plant from Wells to the Village of Aurora needed?
Tagged:
Community
Wells is winding down operations, will cease to exist as an entity, and therefore will not own property nor manage a utility.
Will Aurora water customers experience continuity of service?
Tagged:
Community
Customers can expect continuity of service.
Will Aurora water rates change?
Tagged:
Community
The Village of Aurora has always set water rates and has sent anticipated rates to their customers.
Does the Village of Aurora have staff ready to manage the plant?
Tagged:
Community
The Village of Aurora has operated the water treatment plant since September 2024; it has experienced staff managing the plant.
Why is the transaction fee for the water treatment plant set at $10?
Tagged:
Community
For a contract to be enforceable there has to be some amount of consideration given by both parties.  The customary amount for a contract like this is $10.
How long has Wells owned the water treatment plant?
Tagged:
Community
The water treatment plant was originally built by Wells College in 1929, and has been owned and operated by the College since then.
Does the water treatment plant transaction have any relationship to the sale of campus?
Tagged:
Community
The sale of campus is a separate and ongoing process.
Will the WCA hold an Annual Meeting or elections for officers?
Tagged:
Alumni
General
Legacy
Over the coming months, WCA alum leaders are collaborating with HWS to define a new way of operating as part of the HWS Office for Advancement.  We have identified, as a priority, a desire to preserve and continue Wells’ legacy.  During this period of transition, it is too soon to set plans for an Annual Meeting or elections. Alums will hear more about the WCA and new opportunities for input and connection soon.
Will the WCA become an independent nonprofit?
Tagged:
Alumni
General
Legacy
No.  The legacy agreement with HWS enables the WCA to partner with the HWS Office of Advancement to create programming and events that bring Wells alums together.
Is HWS planning to reach out to alums?
Tagged:
Alumni
General
Legacy
HWS’ Office of Advancement plans to survey the Wells community to identify its priorities for programming, events, and connection.  In addition, an event is planned on the HWS campus to honor Wells’ legacy during the 2025-26 year.  More information will be shared soon.
Who are the 2025-2026 Board of Trustees members?
Tagged:
Alumni
Community
Officers
Marie Chapman Carroll ’75, Chair
Lisa Mazzola Cania ’79, Vice-Chair
Vicki Keller Panhuise, Ph.D. ’74
Trustees
Janice W. Albano ’78
Michael J. Burgess
Sabrina L. Burns ’23
Deborah L. Callahan ’85
John H. Callahan
Kathryn L. Fong ’06
Kris Selander Gordon ’80
Talyse L. Hampton ’09
Susan Henking Ph.D., President
Joanne E. Kelley ’83
Molly R. Moen ’99
Nicola A. Williams ’85
Stephen L. Zabriskie
What is a legacy institution?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
A legacy institution retains the student, employee and financial records of an institution that has closed. The preferred institution maintains, as agreed, the closed college’s material and cultural history. A legacy institution does not own the closed college’s charter nor does it own its physical campus. A legacy institution is not responsible for the closed institution’s financials. The legacy institution and the closed college remain two separate legal entities and the closed college is eventually legally dissolved. A legacy agreement is not a merger.
Why does Wells have to create a legacy agreement with another college?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
Wells College is required by New York State educational guidelines to responsibly wind down its
operations and steward its assets in a manner that honors its mission, ensuring that any
remaining funds are appropriately allocated to higher education.
What constitutes the legacy agreement between Wells and HWS?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
The legacy agreement includes the transfer of historical records, some artwork/artifacts and
the endowment from Wells College, which has closed, to Hobart and William Smith. HWS will
name the Wells Green at Houghton House, create a library installation honoring Wells’ legacy,
adapt the Wells Books Arts Center to the HWS campus, facilitate alumni engagement for
graduates of Wells, and welcome Wells affiliated candidates for service on the HWS
Board of Trustees.
What happened to Manhattanville University as a legacy partner?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
Leaders at Wells College determined that deeper connections with Manhattanville University would not be in the best interest of the college’s future. Manhattanville remains a trusted teach-out partner serving numerous former Wells students as well as operating the Wells study abroad program in Florence, Italy.
What happens to the Wells College endowment?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
The Wells College endowment will be transferred to Hobart and William Smith Colleges as a legal non-profit educational institution. Future fundraising and donor stewardship will reside at HWS.
How long will the Wells Board of Trustees continue operating?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
The Wells Board will continue until all financial obligations are completed.
Will Wells’ senior theses go to HWS?
Tagged:
Legacy
Regulatory
Yes.
Will Hobart and William Smith take ownership of the Wells campus in Aurora?
Tagged:
Legacy
Real Estate
No. The legacy agreement only pertains to the Wells College records, endowment and some historical materials. The campus will be sold by Wells to fulfill Wells’ financial and regulatory obligations related to the closure of the college. The international firm CBRE has been retained by Wells to manage the sale of the campus.
Will Wells own property after the sale of campus?
Tagged:
Legacy
Real Estate
No. After the dissolution of Wells College, there will be no entity able to own property.
Will Wells have a presence in Aurora moving forward?
Tagged:
Legacy
Real Estate
Wells College is not able to own property after dissolution and it is not expected that Wells
College will have a physical presence in Aurora.
What’s going to happen with the Peachtown School and Community Medical Center?
Tagged:
Legacy
Real Estate
The spaces occupied by Peachtown School and Community Medical Center are included in the
properties for sale with the entire campus. The Wells Board of Trustees is in active dialogue
with the leaders of both organizations.
Will Wells graduates still be able to gather for events?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Through the legacy agreement, HWS will coordinate events for Wells alumni such as regional gatherings and reunions and virtual programming. Details on the first such gathering will be shared as soon as possible. Wells-focused communications and the WCA Alumnae/i Award will be stewarded by HWS.
Who from the Wells community will be appointed to the HWS Board of Trustees?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Two members of the Wells community – either alumni or those with an affiliation with Wells –
will join
the Hobart and William Smith Board of Trustees for a four-year term on
the Board. Selection will follow HWS’ normal vetting processes. Appointed Wells trustees will
be eligible for election for subsequent term(s) pursuant to the HWS Board’s policies and
Practices.
Where will Wells’ historic documents be stored?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Some of the materials, such as those pertaining to the history of Aurora, will be given to the
Village of Aurora. Hobart and William Smith will receive items such as some archives, catalogs,
theses, publications, artwork, and athletic-related materials. Other items will be sold or
auctioned. A library installation with Wells historic artifacts will be created and maintained at
Hobart and William Smith.
What is Wells Green?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Hobart and William Smith will take steps to honor the Wells legacy at its Houghton House Arts Campus by naming a lawn there The Wells Green and preserving and putting on display the Minerva statue, a longstanding symbol of Wells’ mission and history. A sycamore tree will be planted at Wells Green. A dedication ceremony is being planned.
What is happening to Minerva?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
The statue of Minerva will be professionally repaired and placed on display at HWS.
How will Wells alumni access the Wells Green at HWS?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Wells alumni can visit Wells Green at any time.
What will happen to the stagecoaches?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
For many years, the Wells Fargo stagecoach and omnibus have been stored and maintained by
Ledyard Farms, which has agreed to continue doing so. Ledyard Farms will make them available to the Village of Aurora. This plan is subject to approval by New York State.
What will happen to Wells’ stained glass windows?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
After structural evaluation, some of the stained glass windows are expected to be transferred
to HWS while others will stay on the Wells campus to ensure their integrity.
What will happen to the Wells College Book Arts Center?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Hobart and William Smith will adapt the Wells College Book Arts Center, including equipment
and related assets, on its campus.
Will the Wells in Florence program continue?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
Yes. Thanks to a partnership with Manhattanville University, Manhattanville will sponsor the
nationally respected Wells in Florence undergraduate international program and alumni trips to
Florence, Italy.
What’s going to happen to other Wells assets not destined for HWS?
Tagged:
General
Legacy
The disposition plan for all assets remains the priority of the Wells Board of Trustees, which is
working to make certain that any entity receiving materials has the capacity to store them
safely and to make appropriate materials accessible to scholars.
Is campus open for visits?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
Students
Campus is closed and access limited to those with prior authorization for a business-related reason for visiting the campus.
Will the college consider community best interests in selling the campus?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
While the College’s first responsibility is to meet its financial obligations, many factors will influence a decision to accept a bid for the campus. College leadership and CBRE believe it is important that any prospective buyer understands the longstanding relationship between Wells and the village community, including the community’s historical access to campus. While it will ultimately be up to a buyer to determine what future access community members have to the campus, the CBRE team actively encourages interested parties to be in touch with Village leadership as part of their exploratory process.
Why can’t the college donate the campus?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
The College’s first responsibility is to meet its financial obligations, and there is no way to do so without the sale of campus.
Will the College own property after the sale?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
After the dissolution of the non-profit corporation that is Wells College, there will be no entity able to own property.
If the sale proceeds exceed the college’s financial obligations, what happens to the excess assets?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
All proceeds from asset sales will be used to satisfy College financial obligations.  Any excess from proceeds will be directed by New York State to a non-profit entity consistent with the College’s educational mission.
How can we stay up to date on the progress of the sale?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
We will share updates that are possible to share, through this e-newsletter and posts on the Wells website (
www.wells.edu
).
What will happen to Peachtown Elementary School and the Community Medical Center?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
Wells College values both institutions.  The spaces each occupies are included in the properties for sale with the entire campus. CBRE is aware of these concerns and is discussing them with potential purchasers.   Wells will continue to work with leaders, as possible, of Peachtown and the Community Medical Center as they consider their future.
I have a Wells provided computer in my office. How can I best transition my files to my personal file storage?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Wells College supported staff to ensure that they were are able to transition their personal files.  Most computers were leased and have been returned to the lease companies and had all data securely wiped.
How can I best support our students?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Your continued support and donations
will help the remaining staff to complete tasks and efforts to help our students transfer and to provide an orderly closure of the college.
I heard there were dumpsters on campus. What’s happening?
Tagged:
Closure
Community
Wells College continues to clean out items of no value. Note: the dumpsters are to be used by authorized personnel only. The College has a comprehensive plan to assist in deciding what needs to be kept and saved. We also continue to catalog assets of financial and/or historical value and are moving many items for safe-keeping and preservation. We continue to work with local and legacy partners and New York State on how best to divest of any and all remaining items.
Can students finish their degrees at Wells College before the closure?
Tagged:
Closure
Students
The academic plan for each student was discussed individually.  As of November 1, 2024,
the data from the National Clearing House, a federal service that tracks college enrollments.  Of the students enrolled at Wells in Spring 2024, 86% have enrolled at another institution. Of the students planning to attend Wells as first-years in Fall 2024, 90% have enrolled at another institution. These results are testimony to the dedication of the Wells faculty and staff and the Board is grateful to everyone who counseled and supported our students.
Why is Wells College closing?
Tagged:
Closure
General
Wells College faced significant financial challenges. We conducted a comprehensive review of the institution’s financial health and future sustainability, including an independent analysis, which has led to the necessary conclusion of closure. Many small colleges, like Wells, grapple with enormous financial challenges and the pandemic has exacerbated these issues. This includes a nationwide shrinking pool of undergraduate students, inflationary pressures and negative sentiments towards higher education.
What about other groups, asking for donations to help the College?
Tagged:
Closure
Community
General
Wells College is aware of at least two groups, the Cleveland Commission and the Wells Legacy Society, that are raising funds. Neither of these groups, nor any others about which the College is not yet aware, has been authorized or endorsed by Wells College.
I’m enrolled in Public Service Loan Forgiveness for my federal loans. How do I certify my employment after Wells closes?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Staff
Employees can self-certify their employment under PSLF with alternative documentation if their organization has closed or the employer is unable or unwilling to provide an acceptable signature.
Please visit the government’s resource page on qualifying employment for PSLF
with Federal Student Aid for more instructions.
I am an admitted student with a deposit. Do I get my deposit back?
Tagged:
Closure
Students
Your enrollment deposit has been refunded. Refunds were processed during the month of June and refunded to the same payment method.
What did the college do to assist current students?
Tagged:
Closure
Students
Wells College’s leadership and Board developed a comprehensive teach-out plan, including agreements with other colleges and universities to support current students in continuing their studies in their chosen majors or programs without disruption. These communications began immediately and continued through the remaining part of Spring semester. Advising sessions were scheduled to discuss pathways to degree completion.
Why was the Wells College community notified during the semester?
Tagged:
Closure
General
The board and its advisors worked diligently to understand all options. Once the board voted to close the College, it  was our obligation to communicate with our community in a timely manner. Making the announcement when students were present gave  us the best opportunity to provide counseling and support and to make services available in person. Each student had a personal advising to plan for their degree path and the College communicated directly with students for those advising appointments.
What steps did Wells College take to address its financial challenges?
Tagged:
Closure
General
The Board and college leadership took decisive actions to address the institution’s financial challenges. This includes creating and executing aggressive strategic plans with faculty, staff, and graduates; streamlining the academic programs; seeking donor support; selling non-essential properties; introducing new revenue-bearing options such as workforce and educational partnerships and online learning for graduates; and implementing new marketing and recruitment initiatives and strategies. While some of these initiatives had positive impacts, the sum of these efforts was insufficient to improve financial projections.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Faculty
Staff
Students
For additional questions, please email
questions@wells.edu
or visit
What’s happening to Peachtown and the Health Center?
Tagged:
Closure
Community
We’ve reached out to both organizations and have been in regular communication with them. We’re working with both organizations and New York State on a long-term solution while these organizations continue to operate as normal.
What will happen to my student loans?
Tagged:
Closure
Students
The Financial Aid Office is advising students and their parents to use
the U.S. Department of Education’s guide on Closed School Discharge
and review what loan options they have when their school closes.
What’s happening to the water plant?
Tagged:
Closure
Community
The Aurora water plant operation transferred to the Village of Aurora on October 1, 2024, with no effect on services to Village residents.
When is Wells closing?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
General
The Board voted April 25, 2024 to close and the closure was announced April 29th. A majority of operations began winding down after reunion. The college will maintain a small team to oversee the final closure processes over the coming months, including the development of a proposal to the Attorney General regarding the ultimate disposition of our assets.
What will happen to the Wells in Florence program?
Tagged:
Closure
General
The Wells in Florence program is going to be continued by Manhattanville University.
Will I be able to keep my email address?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Faculty
Staff
Students
All email accounts were sunsetted, including legacy alumni accounts, starting June 30th, except for those still employed at Wells.
How will alumnae/alumni be affected by the closure?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
While the College will no longer be in operation, the Board and WCA are prioritizing the preservation and strengthening of alumni connections and records.
What does the Middle State’s action mean?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
Faculty
Staff
Wells College was placed on probation as of 5/2/24 and remain accredited. We are completing the documentation requested by MSCHE and expect to submit it to them in a timely manner to fully address their concerns.
This does not affect the agreement with teach-out partners or students completing credits this calendar year.
The official statement about accreditation:
Wells College is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org. Wells College accreditation status is ‘Non-Compliance Probation.’ The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on May 2, 2024 was to place on probation. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation non-compliance probation activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
Update 5/28/24
Teach out agreements have been approved for 20 institutions and awaiting further feedback regarding 4 other agreements. The requested documentation for these teach-out agreements has been submitted as well as further updates requested by the commission regarding the master teach-out plan.
Update 6/21/24
Teach out agreements have been approved for the final 24 institutions.
MSCHE has stated that Wells College’s accreditation ceased June 30, 2024. Advisors and staff worked with the remaining students (“degree expected”) to finalize their degree programs.
MSCHE stated they are awaiting more information about “finalized agreements for the permanent disposition of student and institutional records.” College leadership are continuing to work with the legacy institution to finalize the required updates required by MSCHE.
What is the update about students who were “degree expected” at the end of the spring semester?
Tagged:
Closure
General
Students
At Commencement in May, 14 students walked the stage with “degrees expected” within a few credits. Since then, 13 students have completed their Wells College degrees.
The 14th student has enrolled at another institution to complete their degree.
What happens to my retirement account under TIAA?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Staff
A letter was sent on July 2nd to all employees and previous employees (to the existing address on file), with details about the changes regarding their retirement account at TIAA CREF. If you would like to review the letter again, you can
view the template version here
The letter states that both the 403(b) and 457(b) plans maintained under Wells College ended effective September 10, 2024. Your retirement account with TIAA is not being closed, nor are you losing your investment. You do have some choices as to how to manage your account (for example, roll over the account into an IRA) and if you elect to do nothing, your 403(b) or 457(b) account will be maintained as an individual annuity. Some individuals with systematic withdrawals or transactions should contact TIAA for more information.
Subsequent to the letter sent to all plan participants, TIAA also sent their own letter with details about moving your investments into personal accounts. Questions regarding your elections are to be directed to TIAA.  You can either visit TIAA :
www.tiaa.org
or call 800.842.2252, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 10:00pm.
We encourage you to contact your financial planner to help make the best choices for your specific retirement account and individual needs.
What does loss of accreditation mean?
Tagged:
Closure
Community
General
Students
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is the organization that provides the accreditation for Wells. On June 20th, MSCHE stated the “accreditation will cease on June 30, 2024.” The date of the change of status is decided by MSCHE. After this date, Wells College cannot award degrees or credits. This does not invalidate degrees or credits earned up to this date. Surrendering our accreditation is both planned and expected as part of the closure process.
Can I visit the campus?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
The buildings and grounds are no longer open to the public. Only authorized personnel or approved vendors are permitted on campus. Security is not permitted to open buildings or assist in gaining access.
How will the potential closure impact Wells College’s mission and legacy?
Tagged:
Closure
General
The Board’s plan includes a continuing commitment from the Wells College Alumni Association (WCA). Key individuals from the board and the WCA will work together in the coming months to secure the legacy of Wells College and share those opportunities in the future. Wells is in the process of selecting a legacy institution, which will honor and preserve the legacy of the College for years to come.
Where will my gifts to Wells go if I give now?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
We are grateful for your continuing generosity to help the Wells community. Funds are still needed to support and defray the costs related to operations and closure. Your gifts help us continue to conduct an orderly and dignified closure.
Why weren’t alumni notified earlier in order to raise funds to save the college?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
General
The College saw no likelihood of such significant fundraising goals being achieved year after year, nor the likelihood that new revenues could be identified in sufficient amounts and quickly enough to save the College. Fundraising helps to support the College, but the board recognizes that it cannot carry the College. Wells had already increased its fundraising goal for 2023-2024 above prior years’ achievements to support annual budget, and still have yet to meet this set goal. To continue, fundraising goals would have required an increase of more than double to make possible, not certain, another year of operation. That doubled goal of approximately $12 million would have had to be sustained for several years unless other revenues could be identified.
Will there be a place in Aurora that alums can still visit?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Community
College officials are working on determining how the public may intersect with Wells College after its closure in Aurora.
Will I be able to compete in my sport during the next academic year?
Tagged:
Athletics
Closure
Students
The College and relevant athletic conferences are committed to assisting student-athletes in pursuing opportunities at other institutions. While students are finishing their Wells degree at a teach out partner institution, they will be listed as a student at a teach out partner institution. NCAA rules will be followed, allowing individuals with intercollegiate eligibility remaining to explore opportunities elsewhere without additional permissions.
When and how will you share updates with the College community?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Faculty
Staff
Students
Updates will be communicated to students, families, employees, donors, and alumnae/alumni through usual channels, including email and the website
What does this mean for my resume?
Tagged:
Alumni
Closure
Those who have graduated from Wells can and will always celebrate the academic and social experiences the College provided to them. The closure of Wells is of no fault of yours and does not reflect poorly on your resume.
Will there be severance packages for employees?
Tagged:
Closure
Faculty
Staff
As the College winds down its operations, we are working with all employees to do so as humanely as respectfully as possible. The college does not have a formal severance policy, but all employees will have departure dates that will be communicated to them in preparation for their transition away from Wells College.
Resources for the Community
Closure Landing Page
Students
Staff
Faculty
Alumni
Local Community
Teach-Out Partners
Office Directory