Troubled college plans to speed up spring semester

ATLANTA - Morris Brown College announced Thursday it will abridge its 15-week spring semester into seven weeks - an attempt to aid the financially-strapped school. <br> <br> College officials said the speed up allows students a chance to complete classes before an accreditation appeal hearing in March. Last month, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked accreditation at the private, historically black college. <br> <br> As it appeals, Morris Brown can retain its accredited status. If the college loses, however, students will not be eligible for federal financial aid. <br> <br> Officials said Thursday that students returning on Jan. 13 will double the amount of time spent in each course - ending the semester in early March rather than May. <br> <br> ``We made this decision with a desire to protect the integrity of their academic investment,&#39;&#39; said Charlyn Harper Browne, vice president of academic affairs. ``There will be sacrifices, but students and faculty are committed to making it work.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The new schedule will require students to spend 110 minutes in each class rather than 50 minutes. Faculty members are trying to condense their lesson plans, school officials said, and professors will continue to teach four classes each. <br> <br> Morris Brown President Charles Taylor has said the school will seek accreditation from another source if it loses its appeal. Taylor recently estimated the college&#39;s debt at $27 million. Former Morris Brown president Dolores Cross resigned in February. <br> <br> Students have been a letter about the plan. But federal education officials said the move could backfire. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re still gathering information and haven&#39;t rendered a decision,&#39;&#39; Department of Education spokeswoman Jane Glickman said. ``I&#39;m not aware of another school that has ever taken this course of action.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The accelerated schedule has its pros and cons, students added. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s better to work harder and get credits than face earning a degree that has no value,&#39;&#39; said Everette White, a senior from Bradenton, Fla. <br> <br> White, who will graduate in December, plans to finish the school year at Morris Brown, then try to transfer to Fisk University in Tennessee. <br> <br> Federal investigators are looking into whether the school illegally received millions in student financial aid and used it to pay debts.