Sunday, March 21, 2021

MILLS COLLEGE MAY BE GOING AWAY

by Bob Walsh

Mills College is one of the few remaining women only colleges in the country.  Less than 40 of them at last count.   It has been around since shortly after the civil war.

Unfortunately falling enrollment and the Covid situation MAY be killing it off.  Maybe

It was going to open up for men some time back, but the alumni and local activists manage to get the board to change it's mind.  Now it is essentially still a women's college, though they also accept "non-binary" students.  About half of their student body is non-white and about half is gay, bi or "other."  It fits right in in the Bay Area. 

The current plan is that they will no longer accept new undergraduate students after this fall.  They will then sort-of shut down in 2023 and become a Women's Institute rather than a college, meaning they will no longer be able to issue degrees.  

Some very powerful politicians are alumni and they managed to get the board of trustees to reverse a major decision once, they are in hopes they can do it again.  

The full price of tuition there was $45,000 per year.  It is now down to just under $30,000.  Most of the students do not pay that even.  

It is really a lovely place and they have done good work.  There is no reason to believe the 135 acre campus will turn into low-rent housing or anything like that, the Mills Institute would, if it comes into being, continue to operate the property as a learning center.  

I hope they can hang in there.  It really is a unique place.

No comments: