William Woods moves to test-optional admissions for fall 2020

Only 45 students remained at William Woods University by Friday.
Only 45 students remained at William Woods University by Friday.

William Woods University is dropping test requirements for prospective fall 2020 freshmen.

Under normal circumstances, WWU requires a minimum SAT or ACT score for admissions. But spring SAT and ACT tests for students across the country have been canceled and postponed in response to COVID-19.

For current students, WWU is waiving late fees and registration holds to help ease the burden on families who might find themselves struggling financially as a result of economic troubles related to the outbreak.

"We understand the tremendous financial stress that the crisis is putting on the families of our William Woods students," WWU President Jahnae Barnett said in a news release. "Across the country, families are enduring hardship through lost jobs, strained budgets and health care costs. We value our students, and their families that make a college education possible and want these measures to help ease their financial worries in this extraordinarily challenging time."

Late fees incurred by students in April and May will be waived. Registration holds are typically placed on the accounts of students who owe money - William Woods has removed such holds for traditional students who owe up to $3,000 and graduate and online students who owe up to $1,000.

Students who owe more are instructed to contact the Students Financial Services Office before May 31.

"We believe that, just like workers and small businesses, our William Woods families also deserve a stimulus package," Barnett said. "It is important to us that they remain part of the William Woods community, and that they know we are truly all in this together."

In an online update, Barnett also wrote the university will soon provide information about partial refunds for room and board fees - students were asked to leave campus after the university began reporting cases of COVID-19. Last week, the number of students still on campus dropped from 500 to 45.

Westminster College announced the decision to go test-optional for admissions last week, citing the COVID-19 outbreak, and launched an initiative to collect donated funds to support students.

William Woods University and Westminster College have closed their campuses and moved to online classes.