January 2009

U.S. Water News Online

ATLANTA — Officials from Morris Brown College met with city administrators after water service was shut off to the historically black college until the school pays its $380,000 water bill.

Acting President Stanley Pritchett said in a statement that the school has requested more meetings with city officials to resolve the issue before classes resume on Jan. 9.

Recently, the school e-mailed more than 7,000 former students seeking donations. Morris Brown needs $1.5 million to pay bills and other operating costs.

Meanwhile, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a bank representing investors who purchased bonds to construct a building on the Morris Brown campus is foreclosing on the property, saying the school defaulted on a $13.1 million debt. A foreclosure sale is scheduled for Jan. 6.

However, organizers are planning a rally to raise funds to help Morris Brown College pay a $380,000 water bill that is threatening to shutter the embattled institution.

School officials have been meeting with city administrators and pleading for donations from the public during the holidays. The college also needs $1.5 million to address day-to-day operations, and is about $30 million in debt overall.

The historically black institution is 127 years old and rebounding from an embezzlement scandal that brought it to the brink of extinction a few years ago.

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