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The Struggle of an 18-Year-Old Freshman

Picture this you are an 18-year-old college freshman, stepping into the vast unknown for the very first time. Your days are filled with classes, intense studying, uninspiring dorm food, and the occasional annoyance of roommates.

And then, the weekends arrive a taste of freedom and independence. Ah, college the initial steps into adulthood, where the world lies before you, brimming with possibilities.

But all of a sudden, everything crumbles.

The Heart-breaking News

One fateful day, as you sit in class, someone walks in and delivers the devastating blow: “We’re so sorry, but your school is closing.”

It hits you like a ton of bricks. This place, which seemed like the perfect fit for your aspirations, dreams, and thirst for knowledge, is about to vanish.

It was more than just a college to you—it was a family away from family. But now, you’re left bewildered, feeling the weight of uncertainty and loss.

A Case Study: Lincoln College

In 2022, Lincoln College, a predominantly black private college in Central Illinois, reached its end.

After experiencing a drastic decline in enrollment due to the post-COVID drop, coupled with a crippling ransomware attack, this small educational institution was unable to recover.

Lincoln College bid farewell to its final graduating class, leaving behind a trail of shattered hopes and broken dreams.

List Of Closed Collages in 2023

December – American University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 398
Primary Reason: Economic

August – Medaille University, New York

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 2,937
Primary Reason: Economic, Enrollment

August – Presentation College, South Dakota

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 577
Primary Reason: Economic

June – Bloomfield College, New Jersey

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 1,300
Primary Reason: Economic

June – Presidio Graduate School, California

School Type: Private nonprofit, graduate school
Enrollment: 152
Primary Reason: Economic; merging with the University of Redlands

May – Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 1,365
Primary Reason: Economic, Enrollment, Pandemic

May – Holy Names University, California

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 1,015
Primary Reason: Economic, Enrollment

May – Iowa Wesleyan University, Iowa

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 921
Primary Reason: Economic

Spring – Finlandia University, Michigan

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 424
Primary Reason: Economic, Enrollment

Spring – Cazenovia College, New York

School Type: Private nonprofit
Enrollment: 746
Primary Reason: Economic, Enrollment, Pandemic

February – ASA College, New York

School Type: Private for-profit
Enrollment: 2,745
Primary Reason: Accreditation issues

January – Chatfield College, Ohio

School Type: Private nonprofit, two-year
Enrollment: 152
Primary Reason: Enrollment, Pandemic; closing to become Chatfield Edge nonprofit agency

The Alarming Rise of College Closures

Sadly, the demise of Lincoln College is not an isolated incident. Across America, the pace of college closures has accelerated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation is projected to worsen.

But what lies at the core of this distressing trend?

Lincoln College represents just one of the 91 private, non-profit colleges in the United States that have either closed or merged with other institutions since 2016.

Shockingly, over 60,000 students have been affected by these closures, their academic journeys abruptly disrupted.

*Information Source – bestcolleges.com

A Disturbing Pattern

This phenomenon is part of a larger, disheartening trend that has gained momentum since the mid-2010s. Private schools have surpassed public schools in annual closures, painting a bleak picture of the state of higher education.

And this analysis doesn’t even account for private, for-profit schools, which constituted more than 80 percent of college closures from 2004 to 2020.

While an entirely different issue, it further compounds the challenges faced by students seeking quality education.

Financial Woes and Enrollment Woes

Let’s delve deeper into the underlying issues plaguing non-profit colleges and universities. Among the 91 institutions that closed, a staggering 68 percent shut down due to financial difficulties, leaving their students in disarray.

The root cause? Enrollment.

Two significant factors have been relentlessly haunting higher education, particularly admission and enrollment offices.

First, there’s the menacing “admission cliff,” an impending decline in the number of high school graduates expected by 2025.

Enrollment professionals have been anxiously anticipating this date, but the harsh reality is that many educational institutions are already witnessing a decline in student enrollment.

The Demographic Downturn

The economic downturn of 2007-2008 played a significant role in this predicament. During that period, fewer children were born, leading to a smaller pool of potential students.

Moreover, specific regions of the country experienced a more pronounced decline in births, exacerbating the enrollment crisis faced by colleges and universities.

A Cry for Solutions

The closure of colleges and universities strikes at the heart of individuals seeking knowledge, growth, and a brighter future.

It leaves them disoriented, their dreams shattered. It is imperative that we recognize the severity of this issue and take action to mitigate its impact.

Our society must invest in education, ensuring that institutions have the necessary resources to weather the storm.

We must support students affected by closures, providing them with alternative pathways to continue their education and fulfill their aspirations.

Only through collective efforts can we prevent the continued loss of educational opportunities.

The devastation caused by college closures demands attention and action.

Let us work together to rebuild a resilient higher education system that empowers students, supports their dreams, and paves the way for a brighter future.

The Struggle of Higher Education Institutions

In a world where education is undergoing a transformative shift, higher education institutions face immense challenges in the wake of evolving student preferences and the financial burden they bear.

The Northeast, the Middle Atlantic states, and the Midwestern states have traditionally been home to the majority of brick and mortar colleges and universities.

However, as students venture beyond these geographical boundaries, admission teams are compelled to strategize their enrollment tactics.

A staggering 95% of four-year colleges in the country, including private and public schools, heavily rely on tuition as their primary revenue source.

Hence, the importance of enrollment in securing the financial health of these institutions cannot be overstated.

Yet, the notion of enrollment being a given is no longer guaranteed. When the stability of enrollment is shaken, the financial viability of these schools comes into question.

Consequently, we witness a distressing trend where some private schools, in particular, are forced to shut down.

The year 2023 has introduced an additional layer of financial stress to an already struggling higher education landscape.

The withdrawal of federal stimulus funds, initially provided as a lifeline in response to the pandemic, has exacerbated the situation.

Congress had passed relief funds amounting to $14 billion, known as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which must now be spent by mid-2023.

As the year progresses, challenges related to enrollment and operating performance continue to mount.

The landscape is further complicated by inflationary pressures and a competitive labor market.

These issues reflect an unsustainable operating platform that heavily relies on tuition fees.

Unfortunately, tuition alone cannot keep pace with inflation or compensate for declining enrollment.

Simply hiking the sticker price in the hopes of offsetting growing expenses through scholarship and discounting is not a sustainable solution.

Personally, I vividly recall the allure of a small Christian liberal arts college nestled in the heart of New York City. During the summer before my junior year of high school, I had the privilege of visiting the city and Kings College.

The experience was transformative, and I quickly developed an affinity for both the vibrant city and the school itself. It became my top choice for higher education, allowing me to immerse myself in the quintessential New York college experience.

Over the past two years, I have found immense fulfillment, whether by spending leisurely weekends in Central Park or discovering that one charming local coffee shop that became my go-to study spot.

However, the realities faced by colleges and universities across the nation cannot be ignored.

The numbers presented earlier paint a stark picture: more than three dozen schools have closed their doors, merged, or announced closure plans since the onset of the pandemic.

Shockingly, 20 of these institutions were religious in nature. Since 2016, religious schools account for 44% of college closures.

While many of these institutions were already grappling with financial difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic acted as the final blow, pushing them over the edge.

My journey to realizing the importance of education took an unconventional path, much like the struggles faced by these institutions.

It is disheartening to witness the impact of financial instability on the very institutions that shape the minds of our future generations.

As we navigate this ever-changing educational landscape, it is imperative that we acknowledge the challenges faced by these institutions and work towards sustainable solutions that ensure the accessibility and quality of education for all.

Education is not merely a transaction; it is an emotional investment in the dreams and aspirations of countless individuals.

Let us strive to create an environment where educational institutions thrive, empowering students to explore their potential and become catalysts for positive change in our society.

In the depths of my soul, a storm brewed as I witnessed the unfolding saga within the sacred walls of King’s College.

A beacon of knowledge and faith in the heart of New York City, this private Christian institution was being ravaged by financial turmoil, enrollment decline, and ill-fated business dealings.

The scent of impending doom hung heavy in the air, and I, like an instinctual predator, sensed the vulnerability that lay ahead.

The echoes of distress reached me through the whispers of our independent student newspaper.

Rumors spread like wildfire, painting a bleak picture of the college’s struggle for survival.

The desperate attempt to stay afloat began with what they called “right sizing,” a haunting euphemism for staff layoffs, the closure of the Student Union, and the relinquishment of office spaces.

As the walls of our academic sanctuary crumbled, I couldn’t help but feel a personal blow.

Among the tales of despair, one struck me to the core—an announcement that reverberated through my very being.

The on-campus housing location, destined to be my sanctuary in the upcoming school year, was put up for sale. It was as if my dreams of a nurturing environment were shattered, leaving only a void of uncertainty in their wake.

Spring of 2023 brought with it the harrowing revelation that the institution needed a staggering $2.6 million to survive until the end of the semester.

The ominous warning echoed through the hallways, urging us to seek refuge elsewhere for our educational pursuits. Spring Break was upon us, and the truth hung heavily in the air.

The school stood on the precipice of collapse, and we, its devoted students, were left grappling with a profound question—what would become of us if the doors closed forever?

In that time of crisis, our program meetings became emotional battlegrounds. Faculty members and academic advisors, our guiding lights, presented us with a list of potential transfer schools.

Disappointment mingled with anger coursed through my veins. How could the leadership and administration fail us so profoundly?

The once-hallowed halls echoed with our collective disillusionment as we poured our hearts out in classrooms teeming with raw emotions.

That semester was forever etched in our souls, an indelible mark of adversity endured.

Research has shown that students who bear witness to such closures face gruelling obstacles in their journey to reenrolment and degree completion.

Only a mere 47 percent find their way into another post-secondary program. Among them, it is the white women, aged 18 to 24, who predominantly tread this arduous path.

Alas, even among those who bravely venture forth, merely a third find solace in the fulfillment of their academic aspirations.

Time proved to be a merciless foe for those who delayed their resurgence. Those who waited more than a year to reenroll faced a disheartening 18 percent chance of ever grasping their coveted degrees.

The plight of for-profit institutions fared even worse, as the weight of their demise overshadowed the hopes of their students. It is a separate issue altogether, one that deserves its own spotlight.

Yet, not all private schools endure the same fate. The gates of Yale, Brown, and other esteemed institutions overflowed with a deluge of applications.

They stood tall, their acceptance rates plummeting, a testament to their unwavering allure. But this chasm between the privileged few and the struggling many widens, perpetuating a divide that tears at the fabric of higher education.

The strong grow stronger, while the weak wither away in the shadows.

In the depths of my soul, a storm brewed as I witnessed the unfolding saga within the sacred walls of King’s College.

A beacon of knowledge and faith in the heart of New York City, this private Christian institution was being ravaged by financial turmoil, enrollment decline, and ill-fated business dealings.

The scent of impending doom hung heavy in the air, and I, like an instinctual predator, sensed the vulnerability that lay ahead.

The echoes of distress reached me through the whispers of our independent student newspaper. Rumors spread like wildfire, painting a bleak picture of the college’s struggle for survival.

The desperate attempt to stay afloat began with what they called “right sizing,” a haunting euphemism for staff layoffs, the closure of the Student Union, and the relinquishment of office spaces. As the walls of our academic sanctuary crumbled, I couldn’t help but feel a personal blow.