Some faculty, students of Saint Rose find relief; others still search

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — As the final semester winds down students and faculty are working to figure out their next move, with other local colleges stepping up to help.  Friday afternoon had a big turnout at the welcoming party for the College of Saint Rose students and faculty members as they join the ranks of their new school, the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ACPHS.  

“I have a lot of friends that went to Saint Rose, and I know the emotion that comes along with having your school shut down. So, I’m excited to give them an open welcoming to make them feel comfortable about coming here,” said Student Ambassador, Annie Motler.  

ACPHS is one of the latest colleges to be granted approval from the education department to provide teach out programming for biology, forensic psychology, forensic science, and psychology for St. Rose students.

“I’m glad I made the right choice,” said transfer student Karleigh Seeloff.

What was unique about Friday’s party was the college also welcomed eight faculty members from Saint Rose, as well. While exciting for those who were there, for many at Saint Rose, the future is not so clear. “The bitter side of that is not everyone has that opportunity and I know some folks are really struggling with that, that is very challenging,” said Dr. Lillian Rodriguez-Steen.

The end of the semester is only weeks away, and for faculty news from the board this week stating that funding will run out by June 30 and all pay and benefits for hundreds of Saint Rose employees will end was unsettling for those with nowhere to turn. Only about 45 employees will remain on to close operations through the rest of the year.

Senior Adjunct Professor of Music, Kelly Bird, says the closure and job loss will cause her to have to reinvent herself. But like many others at the shuttered college retirement packages and severances will not be offered.  “So, for things to turn upside down like this I have a lot of other considerations. My health and my husband’s, his health. Those sorts of things,” said Bird.

She says she has concern for what kind of jobs there might be available. “Whether or not I feel like I could even return to a full 40 an hour a week job at this point, I’m not sure what else would be available,” said Bird.

The College of Saint Rose may have grounds for not fulfilling the year notice outlined in their faculty manual, but Liz Richards, Chair, Department of Communications, Associate Professor of Production says it was deeply unethical for them to do so.

And yet, some administrators, she says are the highest paid, will be retained, with bonuses, to remain to shut the school down.  She says providing salary, healthcare and bonuses to high paid administrators is a slap in the face to those of us them who are not receiving the established year’s notice of termination.