Dowling College announced on its website Wednesday, June 8, that it will remain open thanks to negotiations with Global University Services (GUS), an organization that invests in education based out of the U.K.
A deal between GUS and Dowling has not yet been confirmed but the college has taken a step back from closing as an official closing date, which was pushed back once before, has now been removed entirely.
In a press conference today, Dowling College President Albert Inserra did not offer any specific details about the negotiations with GUS or a potential deal. He did confirm that any agreement reached would involve GUS paying down the 48-year-old colleges debt of $54 million.
The fate of the school’s faculty and some of its staff remain unclear. Many learned in an email that their employment was officially terminated on June 1. Also unclear is whether the school will commence summer classes or how much longer College officials can guarantee the school will remain open provided a deal is made.
This uncertainty, which began May 31 when the school first announced its closing doors, puts the colleges over 1,000 students in a precarious and time sensitive situation. Schools like Saint Joseph College and Molloy still have posts on their websites offering support to Dowling Students looking to transfer before the 2016 fall semester.
Molloy responded to Dowling’s request to aid students early on, by setting up a transition counseling center which offered students one-on-one guidance for where they should go to complete their programs. Students who want to transfer can still pick up a transcript from the Registrar’s office in Dowling.
The announcement on the Dowling website said; “We know how difficult the last week has been for our students, faculty and staff. We recognize the importance of a sustained Dowling College to our entire Dowling family and community, including most of all our student body.”
Featured image by Jason Lee
