Webster University’s Accra, Ghana campus is set to close at the end of December. It opened just 10 years ago. According to university spokesperson Patrick Giblin, issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and declining enrollment have brought the school into a teach-out mode.
Students who are unable to complete their degree before the closure can continue their education online or at another Webster campus, Giblin said.
John Ilalokhoin was studying in Ghana when he found out the campus would close. He has since transferred to Webster’s Leiden, Netherlands campus.
“I feel the university is doing a fair enough job to help with the transition, especially for the people going to the Leiden campus. The university has been involved throughout the process, from travel documents to housing. The people from the Leiden campus are doing an excellent job,” Ilalokhoin said.
Freshman Nana Martin transferred to the Webster Groves campus from Ghana. She also shared her satisfaction with the support given to her after the closure was announced but expressed concerns from other students who did not receive the same benefits.
“I think the university could’ve done better in terms of helping students who were transitioning to a whole other university,” Martin said. “I know some students who immediately left the school after the shutdown was announced and were refused a refund for their money despite the fact that they paid the full tuition and weren’t going to be there for the rest of the semester.”
According to Martin, she kept the same tuition rates upon transferring to Webster’s home campus.
Giblin did not comment on housing accommodations for students moving to Webster’s flagship campus, but Martin believes it won’t be a problem.
“I don’t think there are going to be that many students coming here anyways, and if there are I believe that the school will figure something out for the students who have no home here,” Martin said.
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