Morris Brown’s water ‘will keep flowing’

Morris Brown College still has water. “It will keep flowing,” vowed interim president Stanley Pritchett on Tuesday after the historic black college scored an extension on a deadline to pay its past-due bills in full or lose its water service.

School officials paid Atlanta Watershed Management $150,000 Tuesday afternoon.

The college has paid a total of $250,000 and agreed to pay the remaining $65,000 within 30 days, Watershed Management Commissioner Robert Hunter said in a statement after receiving the payment. “We are glad that Morris Brown can remain open and continue its reorganization efforts.”

School officials said donations had come in from board members, faculty, staff, alumni and students.

Students raised $6,000 Tuesday by stopping cars to ask for money, Pritchett said.

Morris Brown, founded in 1881 in Atlanta’s Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, has been caught in a spiral of financial problems and declining enrollment.

As officials scrambled to avert the loss of water on campus, they faced a new lawsuit in Fulton Superior Court over claims of another unpaid bill.

General Electric Capital Corp. filed suit Monday against the college for $382,355 plus legal fees, alleging breach of contract for failing to keep up payments on a dozen pieces of office equipment.

Pritchett said Tuesday he could not comment because he hadn’t seen the suit.

Pritchett estimated that the college needs about $1.5 million to settle immediate debts, and $30 million to ensure its longer term survival.

One building was set for auction last month because of construction liens but was removed from sale at the last minute. That and other buildings on campus are still at risk, Pritchett said.

Morris Brown’s water was disconnected during December over unpaid bills, but service was restored after the college made a partial payment of $100,000.

Fewer than 200 students registered for spring semester.

— Staff writer Steve Visser contributed to this report.