“We Have Completely Run Out of Money”: Barber-Scotia President Issues Public Plea for Support

Chris Rey said the college is unable to meet payroll or advance accreditation without urgent financial help.

Chris Rey spoke about Barber-Scotia desperately needing financial support in a Facebook video Wednesday. Screenshot of the video.

Barber-Scotia College President Dr. Chris Rey issued an urgent plea for financial support on Wednesday, warning in a four-minute video that the historically Black college has run out of money to continue operations.

“Today is probably one of my toughest days as president,” Rey said, noting that despite dedicated alumni and supporters, “we have completely run out of money as an institution.”

Rey, who took office in July 2023, has spent much of his tenure working to stabilize Barber-Scotia through fundraising and infrastructure improvements.

Shortly after his arrival, he launched the Barber-Scotia RISING campaign — focusing on Rebuilding, Instruction, Strategy, Infrastructure, Networking, and Governance — which has raised more than $1 million. However, that money has been consumed entirely by campus maintenance and daily operations, he said.

Some major donors who previously backed the college have not contributed in recent months, placing Barber-Scotia “in a really, really tough place,” Rey said.

Barber-Scotia lost its accreditation in 2004 over financial and leadership issues. Rey said the college has been preparing an accreditation application, but the process requires a minimum of $250,000 in cash reserves — a threshold the institution currently cannot meet.

“It has been a true struggle,” he said.

Compounding the institution’s challenges, many students struggle to afford tuition because Barber-Scotia is not currently eligible for federal financial aid. “It has been truly a challenge for them,” Rey said.

Rey acknowledged he cannot pay staff, most of whom are volunteers. The few who do receive compensation, including Rey, will not be paid this month.

“I’m telling you, this is a call for everyone,” he said, appealing in particular to supporters of historically Black colleges and universities. Founded in 1867 as Scotia Seminary for African American women, Barber-Scotia is one of North Carolina’s oldest HBCUs.

“If you believe in what we’re doing here, I need your help,” he said.

Despite financial turmoil, Barber-Scotia has seen notable gains over the past year. Roughly 100 students enrolled for the fall semester — a significant increase — including about 35 living on campus for the first time in a decade. The college also joined the New South Athletic Conference and fielded its inaugural football team last year.

Earlier this month, the North Carolina Property Tax Commission ruled that 14 contested campus parcels qualify for tax-exempt status as educational property, overturning a 2023 county assessment. The decision represented a major legal and financial win for the college as it works to stabilize and reposition itself.

Yet even as he cited these victories, Rey acknowledged the toll the struggle has taken.

“As I continue to fight the good fight, I just can’t do it by myself,” he said. “I’m tired.”

Rey said the college is working to stay solvent through the month and remains hopeful that supporters will step forward.

“We will keep on fighting until I cannot fight anymore,” he said.

The college is encouraging donations of all amounts, including $159 — marking Barber-Scotia’s 159th anniversary next week — through an online portal.

Donations can be made at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/celebrating-159-years-of-education