"It feels like I'm the one who has to deal with the repercussions of the actions of the college," one Meredith senior told the I-Team. "And it hurts to see my friends and faculty and staff like, have to deal with that also."
That report, published by an independent consultant last year, provides a snapshot of what faculty and students are saying about Meredith College's finances and infrastructure.
"I love the community. We're so close and tight-knit," said another senior. "But some of the stuff -- I was really shocked when I opened my dorm room for the first time. I'm like, this is what it really looks like?"
That report, conducted by Rankin Climate, included responses from nearly 750 students, faculty, and staffers, and found nearly half of respondents indicated they had seriously considered leaving Meredith at some point during their time at the college. Specifically, respondents said poor campus conditions were a major issue, with the report noting that "all respondents, and Employee respondents in particular, offered that one of the main barriers to their success at Meredith was their concern about the College's outdated facilities."
The I-Team spoke with multiple students at the college for this story, who asked not to show their faces on camera.
"Well, they tell us to go to our RAs, and when we do, nothing ever happens after that. Or they'll like, I'll put in a maintenance request and like nothing ever happens after that either," one student said of their attempts to warn administrators about dorm conditions.
Students provided photos that offer a glimpse into what they say show current conditions on campus, including water damage and cracked walls.
"In my dorm, particularly, I had nails sticking up like out of the wooden floors in my room, and I had to like be careful where they were," one student told the I-Team.
They say students have raised concerns with the school about deteriorating conditions in both dorms and academic buildings. Though the school has held meetings to address those concerns, students told the I-Team that they don't believe they're being heard.
"I think they're trying to say that they hear them, but just from the meetings I've attended, they're like, oh, well, you have to do your part, too, as a student, which we are doing," one senior said. "I know many of us have tried to voice out, but they just kind of shut it down."
Another major finding in that report is the effect of recent layoffs at Meredith on remaining faculty and staff. It found that "94% of staff surveyed felt their salaries were not competitive," while "59% felt their workload increased without additional compensation due to staff departures."
ABC11 covered layoffs at Meredith in July 2025, when the school let go of 6% of its employees. In all, the Rankin Climate report found "three themes were present in faculty responses: inadequate compensation, feeling overworked, and concerns about the institution's finances".
The I-Team requested an interview with Meredith College President Dr. Aimee Sapp, but we were told she wasn't available. Instead, Sapp provided this statement:
"Meredith is building for the future with a clear, long-term plan.
"We have recently launched an effort to renovate and modernize student housing, including significant upgrades to residence halls, and national experts will be on campus this spring to engage students and guide the next phase.
"Interest in Meredith is rising sharply. Applications are up nearly 20 percent this year, enrollment deposits have increased by 54% compared to this time last year, and year-end giving increased by more than 25%.
"Like many private colleges across the country, Meredith has faced financial pressures and is meeting those challenges directly and responsibly.
"For more than a century, Meredith has prepared women for lives of leadership and service, and we are confident in our direction."
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