Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Friday signed what has come to be known as the West Virginia University Institute of Technology relocation bill.
The bill, which removes from state code language that says WVU Tech shall remain headquartered in Montgomery, is effective from passage. It clears a major legal hurdle for West Virginia University, which operates the school as a regional campus.
The Montgomery-based school is in the midst of a relocation to Beckley. The controversial move was announced in August after years of speculation the university would close. The move is set to be completed in 2017.
The bill was introduced early in the 2016 legislative session. The House first passed the bill in February, 67-32, after amendments were made requiring the university to collaborate with other schools in the area and seek program approval before offering new courses. The Senate also made amendments before passing it 22-12.
Supporters of the bill have said it clears up state code and allows the university to move forward with moving to a newer campus. The Montgomery campus is estimated to have as much as $100 million in deferred maintenance needs.
Locals, who oppose relocation efforts, say the move will devastate local economies in the Upper Kanawha Valley. They also claim it's illegal.
Earlier this year, Montgomery locals and WVU Tech supporters filed a lawsuit in Kanawha County Circuit Court, seeking a restraining order that would have prevented the move, but their motion was denied. A final hearing will be in May.
WVU will admit first-year students to the Beckley campus starting this fall. The university intends to move all students on the Montgomery campus by the fall 2017 semester, though courses still will be available in Montgomery until then.