Alabama A&M University is making a $52 million bid to buy Birmingham-Southern College

Alabama A&M University made a $52 million offer Thursday to purchase Birmingham-Southern College, with the intention of retaining the school’s staff and licensed personnel.

Under the offer, the university would operate the BSC property as an independent campus under the AAMU umbrella.

“If the purchase agreement is accepted by BSC, AAMU undertakes that the campus will not be subdivided for private industries or any other for-profit use. AAMU is committed to using the entire campus to provide a quality higher education experience for every student,” Shannon Reeves, AAMU vice president of government relations and external affairs, said in a statement.

Reeves did not elaborate on the HBCU’s offer to buy BSC.

Rep. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, who represents the area where BSC is located and supported the university’s failed effort to secure a state loan to avoid closure, confirmed AAMU President Dr. Daniel K. Wims submitted the bid to 52 million dollars.

“If accepted, this would be a historic moment, not only for the state of Alabama, but for the country,” Givan said of AAMU’s offer.

Givan noted that no HBCU has ever bought a predominantly white institution.

“We want someone to bring life and vitality,” she said to BSC’s 192-acre campus and surrounding communities. “Well, Alabama A&M is one of the strongest HBCUs in the country.”

BSC has an assessed value of $55 million and an assessed liquidated value of $25 million.

About 1,000 AAMU students are expected to be on the BSC campus by the fall semester of 2025 if the offer is accepted. The HBCU has a goal of 3,500 students on campus by 2029.

BSC, a private liberal arts college with 168-year roots, announced in March that it would close on May 31 after efforts to secure a loan from the state Legislature failed.

Alabama A&M was seeking state funding to help with the purchase, Reeves previously told AL.com.

Reeves said Alabama A&M is growing, with a peak enrollment of 6,600 and the largest freshman class of more than 2,100.

“Our numbers are up,” Reeves said. “Our concern is trying to accommodate these students. We are expected to top 7,000 in the fall. So the demand for our academic offerings and what we do at Alabama A&M, the demand for students is there.”

Reeves said the university has a close relationship with Birmingham, home of the annual Magic City Classic football game between A&M and Alabama State University. Ten percent of A&M students are from Birmingham, he said, and Jefferson County has more A&M graduates than any other county, Reaves said.

Givan, who said BSC will listen to all offers for the school, said an AAMU purchase of the college would increase the Classic’s visibility.

“This city will be lit up. It’s from the Urban Dictionary, but the city will be so lit up that it’ll probably be even bigger than ever.”