MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University’s Board of Governors voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to relocate the WVU Institute of Technology from its Montgomery campus in Fayette County to the recently acquired WVU Beckley campus in Raleigh County.
The BOG’s special meeting drew opponents from the Fayette-Kanawha area — including legislators and local officials. They said moving the school would devastate the area’s economy.
Sen. Bill Laird, D-Fayette, and Delegate Tom Fast, R-Fayette, urged the BOG to delay a decision, seek public comment and analyze options to revitalize the dilapidated campus and rebuild enrollment.
WVU Provost Joyce McConnell said the move is essential to the mission of WVU and continue serving the southern portion of the state. She said WVU has already invested millions of dollars in the Montgomery campus but the needs exceed $100 million and the move to the newer Beckley campus will allow WVU Tech to expand its offerings.
The board had time for an executive session marked on its agenda, but members voted immediately after the motion to make the move was offered.
WVU President E. Gordon said afterward that people need to get past regional thinking regarding winners and losers: This move is a win for the whole state. He also pledged WVU’s support in making sure the Montgomery area continues to thrive in the wake of the move.
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