RENSSELAER — The weather matched the mood on the campus of Saint Joseph’s College on Friday afternoon.
It was a cold, gray day and the few students on the grounds scurried between buildings, eager to take shelter from the winds that whipped in across the plains. The administration building was largely empty, doors were locked and the lights shut off.
Saint Joseph’s students’ reactions to recent news about the uncertain future of the institution were as somber as the weather.
Lexi Minix, a freshman, said the news that Saint Joseph’s might have to close due to “dire” financial straits sent a shock wave through the student population.
“Everyone had heard rumors, but no one actually believed it," Minix said. "When we found out it was true, everyone went into a panic.”
Tyler Cooper, a sophomore, said students are playing a waiting game until more decisions are made at the trustees meeting next week..
“It sucks, but there is nothing I can do about it,” Cooper said. “You just have to roll with the punches."
He added that if Saint Joseph’s is unable to remain open, a lot of students are hoping to transfer to Purdue University.