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.