As Wells College approaches a full-year since shutting down due to financial hardships, The Cleveland Commission for Wells, an alumni-led initiative, has opened up about its plan to reopen the school and return it to its roots as a thriving liberal arts institution. With the campus shuttered since 2024, the group is calling for public support in the form of pledges, donations, and outreach to New York State Attorney General Letitia James to help secure their bid.
CCfW envisions a streamlined, sustainable future for Wells built on reduced administrative costs, collaborative leadership, and innovative use of the academic calendar. By trimming excess overhead, offering year-round programs, and bringing faculty, students, and staff into decision-making roles, the group hopes to restore financial viability without sacrificing the school’s core mission.
An online petition has gained hundreds of signatures.
“Wells was the right choice for us, but it was never meant to be for everyone,” CCfW says. “We will return to our roots as a small liberal arts college, leaning into the strengths of our Cayuga Lake setting and a close-knit community.”
Plans for reopening include recruiting faculty committed to the Wells model of intimate, participatory learning, hiring permanent staff for campus operations, and forming new partnerships with local stakeholders in Aurora and Cayuga County. The group has already submitted a bid to acquire the campus and is raising pledged funds to secure the purchase once approved.
To meet accreditation and legal standards, CCfW is also preparing for compliance with state education requirements and regional accrediting bodies. If successful, the reopened college would welcome students as early as August 31, 2026.
Key targets include enrolling 150 students in the first year and reaching 500 at full capacity. The group projects $24 million in annual tuition revenue, with 80% of its operating budget funded by tuition, room, and board, and the remaining 20% by grants, fundraising, and rental income.
Supporters are encouraged to sign a petition to the Attorney General, pledge financial support (to be fulfilled only after the bid is accepted), and help spread the word.
“Now more than ever,” the group emphasizes, “we need your support to secure our campus and ensure a future for Wells.”
Of course, CCfW is not the only entity trying to revitalize the former liberal arts institution. Initially, the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge submitted an independent bid aimed at transforming the site into an Indigenous-focused institution. However, this bid was later rescinded, and the institute joined forces with organizations proposing to create a mixed-use campus, combining Indigenous education initiatives with new housing, while preserving local institutions like the Community Medical Center and Peachtown Elementary School.
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