Bacone College auction gets postponed again: More than 40 instructors let go

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (KTUL) — Bacone College’s debt is roughly $1.5 million to MHEC.

MHEC was supposed to be putting the historical college up for auction, but according to the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, that auction has been postponed, for now.

The Bacone College interim president, Dr. Nicky Michael, said it was devastating once she heard the news through a newspaper.

She says the judge didn’t even make sure that they were served.

With the auction being pushed back, does that open up a door for Bacone College to remain open?

“Well, you would think it would’ve turned and pivot really quickly, but the damage has been done. There is no coming back. Even once they recall the auction,” said Bacone College interim president, Dr. Nicky Michael.

Bacone College was supposed to be up for auction today for the second time in just a couple of years, but yesterday, the college released this statement on social media.

They also replied to a student’s comment, replying with.

“Unfortunately, the damage was done. We had to suspend classes and we will have to work with our accreditation and Title 4 to resume classes in the fall. We also had to lay off 45 instructors. We will continue to work with students to transfer credits and rebuild for the fall,” said Bacone College on Facebook.

“To lay them off after the dedication that they have shown to the students is very heart-wrenching and heartbreaking to us. And you just don’t get them back right, said Dr. Michael. You don’t just turn around and say ok we are going to be open for spring. Because it’s not just them you are dealing with. We also have Title IV, we have the higher learning commission and we have to work with both of those agencies to make sure we have our funding in place.”

After laying off 45 instructors, Bacone College is only left with 4 professors and Dr. Michael is one of them.

And all of them are working in a dual role.

One student who majors in exercise science, says he is almost at the finish of completing his degree.

But with only 12 hours left to complete his degree, he knows there could be a possibility to start over with this foreign process.

“I feel a lot of emotions. I was disappointed. I was stressed. I was lost. I still am right now because I don’t know where this is going to take me and my academic career. For the past three days, it’s just been like, 'When are we going to be heard?' Because even though the school is going through all of this, we are putting our faith and putting our trust in Bacone. To be able to put us on the right path,” said Bacone senior student, De’marques Henry.

Friday morning, they will have a board meeting to expand on different options for the future of Bacone College.

Right now, they plan on helping seniors transition to colleges where their credits will transfer or work with them with a plan they call teach out if they are on the cusp of graduating.