SBU puts temporary test-optional measure in place

Last edited 1:20 p.m., April 2, 2020

Southwest Baptist University is temporarily relaxing admissions requirements amid the coronavirus pandemic.

During the extent of the outbreak, SBU will not require prospective students to take the ACT or SAT in order to qualify for enrollment, according to a news release.

“Prospective students may have concerns about not having access to information needed to complete an application, and we are removing those barriers,” said Darren Crowder, dean of enrollment management, in the release. “With ACT and SAT canceling spring testing dates, we may have applicants who have yet to take one of these tests.”

The measure applies to SBU's campuses in Bolivar, Springfield, Mountain View and Salem.

SBU's spring enrollment is 3,059 students, roughly flat from a year ago, according to a spokesperson.

The Bolivar-based university announcement follows a similar edict by Drury University last week. However, Drury is going test-optional permanently.