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D Scott

Friday, December 1st, 2023 10:54am

Yesterday we found out that after 100 years of operation, The College of St. Rose will be shutting down after their Spring 2024 semester. I feel like it's safe to say that almost everyone in the Capital Region was shocked to find this news out and most are heartbroken about it. I did not attend the college but it hurt my heart to hear that one of the staples of The Cap City was no longer going to be around. I have friends who graduated from the school, that taught at the school or who's kids are going to the school.

The reactions are starting to come out from high profile members of the community along with some of their alumni.

SUNY Albany's President Havidán Rodríguez released this statement earlier this morning - 

"Today is a very difficult and tragic day for anyone who cares deeply about our city and higher education. The College of Saint Rose has been a cherished part of the Capital Region’s educational and cultural landscape for more than a century, and its closure should do nothing to diminish that proud legacy. My thoughts are first with the students and dedicated faculty and staff who will be directly impacted by this closure —and of course with President White and all those who worked diligently and against strong headwinds in hopes of a different outcome. This news also reminds us of the tenuous situation for many institutions of higher education across the country following the impacts of COVID-19 and the demographic shifts that we are confronting, especially in our region. As we process this loss and begin to assess what happens next, I want to be clear that the University at Albany remains committed to Albany, and to midtown especially. We will work closely with our partners in midtown, with Mayor Sheehan and with SUNY and our representatives in state government to assist this transition in whatever ways our resources permit. Our primary focus, as always, will be on doing what we can to help ensure all students are able to successfully complete their degrees at the institution of their choosing."

Albany Mayor Cathy Sheehan and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy released this statement - 

“We want to extend our sympathy and concern to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of The College of Saint Rose. We all hoped that this day would not come. Today’s reported announcement by the College that it is closing at the end of the Spring 2024 semester ends more than a century of its presence in our Pine Hills neighborhood, and its impact on the fabric of our community and the broader Capital Region.

“We are in close communication with City and County stakeholders, state and local government leaders, academia, and developers to ensure that we are all working together to reimagine the CSR campus to minimize the impact of the College’s closure. In the coming weeks and months, we will also work with the College’s staff to connect them to job opportunities with the City, County, and other local employers through job fairs and other events. Together, we will work to create new opportunities and economic growth for Albany and our entire region.”

WNYT was able to talk to some of the students at the school as well.

Feature photo: WNYT Story