Birmingham-Southern College announcement expected April 6

UPDATE: WVTM 13 News has learned there will be an 'important announcement' from the Board of Trustees Chair Rev. Keith Thompson and President Daniel Coleman at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6.The information states the meeting is for students, faculty and staff but a public announcement will follow the meeting.--------------------------------------------------Birmingham Southern College is a historic campus with an uncertain future. The Board of Trustees canceled a meeting with the more than 100 members of the student body to discuss the future of a financially struggling school. College leaders are requesting financial help from alumni, state officials and the community to keep a possible shutdown from happening.The board chair, Rev. Keith Thompson, released a statement saying, “The board's receiving encouraging information, hour by hour, that could have significant bearing on this pivotal decision. Please know that we are doing everything we can to ensure the best possible outcome for the college and for our campus community.The board continues to meet. “The possibility of having to shut down has been looming over students for months. The school thought it would learn its fate Wednesday, but that did not happen. It’s a difficult and uncertain time for students. The student body is reportedly very close. WVTM spoke with several students who say they love their school and while a delayed decision prolongs their uncertainty, at least it means there's still hope.Lauren Barnett is a senior at BSC. No matter what the future holds for the college, she'll graduate in just a few weeks. But as Student Government President, she's praying the college survives for those behind her.“I mean, it's certainly difficult for me, so I can't even imagine how difficult it is for underclassmen that are having to figure out if they're going to transfer, you know, and kind of make those really big decisions. I certainly can't imagine being in their position,” Barnett said.Ann Catherine Stephens is a freshman who has fallen in love with her school and is holding out hope she'll be a part of the Birmingham Southern class of 2026. She and the other more than 1,100 students thought they would learn their fate today. But the meeting with the board of trustees scheduled for just after noon was canceled only a few hours before. “I'm a little frustrated with, you know, we want an answer. But I also feel really encouraged by the fact that I know that the administration is really looking out for us and working as hard as they can to give us the most positive experience here at Birmingham Southern. And I really trust them,” Stephens said.The students say if BSC closes, it'll be a huge loss for the state, but a very personal blow for them. “I think that's what's making this decision really difficult because, you know, we're close with our professors, we're close with our peers, we're close with the various staff and just everyone that's a part of this wonderful community. And so, seeing the school shut down almost feels like, you know, you're losing family, you're losing really close friends,” Barnett said.No word yet on when that meeting will be rescheduled.