Oakland City University announced May 19 that it is suspending all undergraduate offerings for the 2026-27 academic year and laying off an unspecified number of staff due to an ongoing financial crisis.
Undergraduate students will be “provided guidance and options for next steps as plans move forward,” states a May 19 news release from the Oakland City, Indiana, university. “OCU will continue to offer graduate-level programs and prepare to resume undergraduate operations in the 2027–28 academic year.” As of fall 2024, OCU had undergraduate enrollment of 502 students, according to a U.S. News & World Report higher education database.
Serious financial difficulties at OCU came into focus on April 1, when a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development showed 167 employees would be laid off by June 1.
In subsequent weeks, OCU officials were quoted as saying they were searching for a sustainable solution, with one possibility being the potential sale of a university-owned patent related to carbon capture technology. Carbon capture refers to methods used to trap carbon dioxide emissions before or after they are released into the atmosphere, as a means to curb pollution.
“The university will continue efforts to sell the carbon capture patent, with the hope of reopening once those efforts are successful,” a May 19 Facebook post by OCU reads. “Our final day for now will be May 31, 2026.”
At other points since the April 1 WARN notice was issued, OCU officials spoke publicly about a “strategic partnership” they were pursuing that would allow the university to continue on as normal. However, the May 19 news release and Facebook post do not mention that possibility. “We ask that you continue to pray for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the entire OCU community as we navigate this difficult time together,” the Facebook post states.
A four-year institution dating to 1885, Oakland City University was founded by General Baptists. The university’s website describes it as “the only General Baptist-affiliated higher-ed institution in the nation,” but states it is “open to students of all faith backgrounds.” Graduate degree programs are offered in education, business, and religious studies. Undergraduate programs being suspended cover those three areas, as well as within the School of Arts & Sciences.
Located in Gibson County, about 30 minutes from Downtown Evansville, OCU has competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics since the 2020-21 academic year. The university was an independent member of NCAA Division II before that.
Higher education leaders in Evansville released statements offering support for OCU students.
“My thoughts are first with the students whose educational journeys have been disrupted, as well as the faculty and staff members who have dedicated their careers to educating, mentoring, and supporting students in hopes of helping them build meaningful lives and make a difference in the world,” University of Evansville President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz said in a May 19 statement issued by the university. “I am also thinking of (OCU) President (Ron) Dempsey and all those who worked tirelessly — often against strong headwinds — in hopes of a different outcome.”
University of Southern Indiana President Steven Bridges joined his cross-town colleague. “We recognize what a challenging moment this is for the OCU community,” Bridges said in a press release. “We understand that every student’s situation is unique, and we are ready to provide personalized guidance that reflects your goals. We can offer clear options and individualized support to help you stay on track and move forward with confidence.”
In a statement released May 20, Ivy Tech Evansville Chancellor Daniella Vidal said her two-year institution is “uniquely situated to help students with their degree decisions. There are several transfer agreements already in place, which could mean an easier and less expensive way to earn an associate degree. Those credits then can transfer to other four-year colleges, where students can finish pursuing their bachelor’s degree.”
UE directed OCU students to evansville.edu/ocu, while USI’s page is USI.edu/OaklandCity, and Ivy Tech’s is link.Ivytech.edu/OCU.
