Moonlight, which is based at 2710 Dryden Road in Moraine, provided the historically black college with security officers and equipment and uniforms to those employees. Each security officer received a salary of $16.90 per hour, according to a copy of the contract attached to the lawsuit.
» RELATED: Wright State pilot program saves students thousands on textbooks
The university and security service entered into a contract on Aug. 15, 2017, according to the lawsuit. Moonlight sent 10 bills to the university but they remained unpaid at the time the lawsuit was filed last month.
This news organization has reached out to a Wilberforce University spokeswoman for comment on the lawsuit.
Wilberforce University is the oldest private historically black college and in recent years the school has had a history of financial problems.
Wilberforce University thanks Beyoncé for donation with music video: Watch it here. https://t.co/FI99nwFwyN
— Dayton.com (@daytondotcom) April 18, 2018
Last year, the university implemented layoffs, furloughs and a 20 percent pay cut for employees. In November 2016 the school slashed $750,000 from its payroll budget in an attempt to right-size itself, then-president Herman Felton said at the time.
In January 2017, Wilberforce University put 10 acres of campus — including two buildings — up for sale for $7 million. The university wanted sell and then lease back the property, senior vice president for finance William Woodson said at the time.
» RELATED: Wilberforce president on MLK and ‘pivotal’ moment that changed America
The school wanted to use money from the possible real estate sale to pay off some of its debt. No sale has been announced since the property was put on the market.
The university was at risk of losing its accreditation from mid-2014 through most of 2015, due to declining enrollment.
The school was issued a “show cause” order from the Higher Learning Commission that was later lifted in November 2015 after enrollment increased by more than 85 percent to around 650 students. If the college had lost its accreditation, its students would not be eligible for federal financial aid.
FIVE FAST READS
• UD, Premier say former fairgrounds may not be fully redeveloped for decades
• Ohio public university presidents fight for more funding at Statehouse
• Algae plaguing Ohio lakes could force Kasich to take executive action
• PHOTOS: Retail tycoon’s former Ohio mansion on sale for $3.95 million
• Ohio colleges taking steps to avoid unchecked sex abuse cases
About the Author