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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University's Board of Governors voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize moving the WVU Institute of Technology campus from Montgomery to Beckley.
Tech President Carolyn Long said the move, which will be completed by 2017, gives the school the "best chance to survive and thrive."
The Montgomery campus has an estimated $100 million in deferred maintenance and remains far short of the enrollment goal of 1,800 set several years ago, Long said.
A full complement of freshmen classes will be offered next fall at WVU Beckley. All Tech academic programs will move to the Beckley campus in 2017 and athletic teams will remain at Tech until the 2017 move.
Board Chair Tom Flaherty said it became clear to administrators that the current model is unsustainable. WVU has spent $14 million over the last several years to cover shortfalls in Tech's budget, he said.
"The Board performed a substantial amount of due diligence before reaching this decision," he said. "Providing an affordable and accessible education for more students in our state was foremost on our minds."
WVU leaders say they will work with Montgomery officials to find a new purpose for the campus, such as a location for restaurants, student housing or merchandise outlets.
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