CONCORD, N.C. — College students across the Carolinas are now several weeks into their fall semester.
Barber Scotia College leaders touted plans for students to be on the Concord campus for the first time since the school lost accreditation in 2004 and closed. Since Channel 9′s Allison Latos reported on the leadership’s ambitious plans in August, the interim president hasn’t returned her calls and emails to check on enrollment.
The school’s website calendar of events only states “Tuesday September, begin fall semester, with no specific date.
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Earlier this week, Latos went back to the campus to see if students were there. She saw crews working on campus and a full dumpster. When asked, a worker said there were no students staying there, as they were all attending school online.
Latos called the interim president again for an update, but she didn’t return the call.
In August, Barber Scotia College’s interim president Dr. Tracey Flemings gave Channel 9 a campus tour showing where she said 24 students would live and learn in the fall.
The historically Black college in Concord was founded in 1867, lost accreditation in 2004 and closed. Many of the buildings have crumbled since and now need millions in repairs.
“We see the empty, empty buildings. It’s not fair,” said Christina Montoaya who runs the convenience store across the street. “I feel like they have to do something about the university.”
For six years, she hoped her business would see an influx of students grabbing drinks or snacks from her shelves.
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Now, Latos has also learned she’s not the only one seeking a response from school leadership.
Cabarrus County officials said, “On May 6, the Deputy County Attorney asked to schedule a visit to the campus within two weeks.” Officials also requested documents including enrollment figures dating back to the 2016-2017 academic year, the instructor of each course, audited financial statement for the previous five years and how each of Barber Scotia College’s properties are being used.
Officials said the college’s attorney still has not provided the documents or scheduled a visit to the 26 acres.
County officials also said the county assessor’s office is also reviewing the college’s tax status and whether it meets requirements for education exception. The Cabarrus County tax assessor may direct college leadership to submit a new application for exemption for the 2023 tax year, and if they do, the deadline would be Jan. 31.
Latos will continue to monitor any emails or calls returned about the number of students the college is teaching this semester.
Return to this story for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: Local HBCU seeks to repair buildings as students return to campus)
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