Like vultures circling a dying animal, twenty schools set up tables in the gymnasium at Victory University Monday in an attempt to recruit students from the financially failed Christian college.
Although this was the first day of the spring semester at Victory University, many classrooms were vacant. A corner-mounted television turned to local news played in the empty student recreation center.
Down the hall, near the school's chapel, 50 students stood in line with paperwork in hand waiting for the business office to assess any final fees they owe the school.
At the end of the line, law sophomore Ebonie Brown leaned against the wall holding her 3-year-old-daughter's hand. Brown said lines like these were commonplace for in the two years she attended.
"This is pretty much how the school operated," the 21-year-old single mother said. "We would get a book voucher from one office, get it approved in another, and then bring it to the book store. Those were all long lines as well."
Brown first attended Victory University two years ago after her mother, who graduated from school, recommended it. However, she said she disliked the way the school operated.
"It would take two or three months to get our refund checks from the finical aid office," Brown said. "They were slow with everything."
Victory University informed students about the closure only after it was reported on the television said liberal art student Alexis Walker, who was in front of the line.
"It was on the news two hours before they sent out a mass email to the students," Walker said. "My friends at work knew about it first and told me. It was embarrassing."
Even though she took mostly online classes, Walker, who had been waiting in line for nearly two hours, came to Victory University because it was a Christian college.
"I did not see it coming," Walker said while clutching a LeMoyne Owen college brochure. "I'm worried that some of my credits will not transfer and that I might have to use more financial aid money."
Most classes were $1,000 said Josh Beaver, FedEx ramp agent and business major. However, a maximum of 90 credits can be transferred to another school according to him. After waiting for nearly two hours in line, Beaver was confronted with charges.
"They said I owe them $500," Beaver said. "I pay in full every semester so I don't know what they are talking about."
Victory University will not give students their transcripts unless they pay their fees, according to Beaver.
The university was an affordable option for many students said Kenneth Kinney, director of marketing communications at Victory.
"Memphis being one of the poorest cities in the United States, Victory was great place for students to not only start a degree but also finish it," Kinney said. "Victory participated in lots of community services as well. This is a loss for the community."
Close to 75 percent of the staff has been let go not including teachers said Kinney. He is applying for work at the University of Memphis.
The property is in the process of being sold according to Kinney. The last day of class will be May 2 and the school will fully close following graduation.
According to Victory's website statement announcing the closure, barely 2,000 students attended the school in 2012. But its small numbers allowed the school to be a tight community said Kinney.
"This is sad for many of us," Kinney said. "Many of the students will be separated from their friends."
