HPU was recently asked to buy Oak Hollow Mall.

HPU asked to buy Oak Hollow Mall

By: Bryan Rothamel

Posted: 1/30/09

High Point University's administration has been approached about purchasing Oak Hollow Mall.

"We have been approached [to buy the mall]. As any sensible and reasonable leadership team should do, we are investigating what that all means," university president Nido Qubein said. He continued to reiterate university officials did not initiate the talks.

Rumors around the mall speculate the university has bought the mall and will demolish it to build a football stadium. Two store managers stated they have heard the rumor although mall officials do not confirm any transactions have taken place.

Qubein stated, "[University officials] have made no commitments. We do not believe we have any interest."

One of the store managers said CBL, owner of Oak Hollow Mall, does not renew leases for longer than a month-to-month basis although other reports are stores have signed five-year leases recently. The store managers have asked to remain anonymous.

On Topix.com, anonymous persons have stated the mall would close in January 2009 although earlier the site's users said it woud close before the end of the 2008 calendar year. The mall was still open on Jan. 29. Users on another website, Yahoo! Answers, hypothesize the mall has been bought by the university.

High Point University has not had a football team since 1954. In order to start a team the athletic department would have to follow federal guidelines set forth in Title IX, Education Acts of 1972. The university has not announced the addition of a football team.

HPU currently funds seven male varsity sports and seven female varsity sports. Women's lacrosse has been added and will begin competition during the 2010-11 season.