Morris Brown enrollments falls by half

ATLANTA - About half of financially battered Morris Brown College&#39;s students returned to class this week. <br> <br> On Friday, enrollment on the college&#39;s third day of classes stood at 1,300 - down from 2,500 last semester, said Charlyn Harper Browne, the school&#39;s vice president of academic affairs. <br> <br> ``We expected about a 50 percent decrease,&#39;&#39; she said. ``It wasn&#39;t a surprise.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Last month, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked accreditation at the private, historically black college. Morris Brown is $27 million in debt. <br> <br> An appeals committee of 12 college presidents from the region&#39;s schools will meet in Atlanta to hear the school&#39;s case. The hearing is expected to be held in March. <br> <br> As it appeals, Morris Brown retains its accredited status. If the college loses, however, students will not be eligible for federal financial aid. <br> <br> Morris Brown recently announced it was speeding up its spring semester to let students finish classes before the appeal hearing.