Westwood College has stopped new enrollments at all of its campuses, leaving some Atlanta students concerned about their futures at the for-profit institution.
Westwood announced the enrollment freeze last month in a statement citing declining enrollment and changes in the regulatory environment as reasons for the decision. The freeze extends to Atlanta, where Westwood operates two campuses, which enroll about 615 students.
Since learning about the freeze, Marquis Britt, a student at Westwood’s downtown campus, said he’s had questions that have not been fully answered. Key for him is whether some of the incentives that drew him to the institutions, such as promised job-placement assistance and the option to audit classes even after graduating, will be continued.
“I’m concerned for myself and fellow students, those who are still here, but those who have graduated too,” Britt, 21, said. “If the school closes, will we still be able to get those benefits?”
Like Britt, Reginald Love, 21, is concerned about the benefits. Britt will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree; Love graduated in July. Both estimate their degrees cost $90,0000.
“These are the things that brought me to Westwood,” said Love. Despite his degree, he has not found a full-time job, and only works three hours one day a week teaching gaming to elementary school students in an after-school program. Love said Westwood helped him find that job, but has not been helpful in landing better employment. For him, the career-services needs are key.
No decision has been made on a closing date for the schools, said Westwood spokesman Gil Rudawsky. “The school will eventually close, but there is no timeline for that,” he said. That decision depends on how many students are continuing with their programs and whether Westwood is able to partner with another company to continue operations. When the schools close, Westwood will also no longer have an online presence, Rudawsky said.
Westwood, which is owned by Denver-based Alta Colleges, operates 14 Westwood campuses in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and Virginia and an online campus.
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