Limestone is Cautiously Optimistic of Solution

Limestone University trustees identify potential financial lifeline to keep campus open

This article has been updated.

After meeting for several hours on Tuesday, the Limestone University Board of Trustees announced that a decision on whether to close the school at the end of the academic year has been postponed.

Trustees believe there may be a way for the school to get through its ongoing financial crisis.

“This possible funding solution has us all cautiously optimistic about the future of Limestone as both an in-person and online educator,” board chair Randall Richardson said in a news release.

Richardson said the possible funding source is not a sure thing. “We hope to receive more information in the next week,” he said.

University President Nathan Copeland announced to students and staff members on April 16 that a $6 million budget shortfall would likely force Limestone to close or transition to an all-online model.

About 1,000 students take classes on campus, and another 750 are enrolled online.

Maria Pierce, a student from Spartanburg, said she was "devastated" by the news last week that Limestone might close.

Pierce is 41 years old and has gone back to school to pursue a nursing degree. She worries that some of her credits might not transfer to another college in the area.

Plus, Pierce likes it at Limestone. The campus community has been welcoming to her and other non-traditional students, she said, and professors are "willing to help us with anything."

A "reverse college fair" to help students pursue opportunities at other schools is scheduled for this Friday. The event might be canceled -- if the board determines that Limestone will be able to stay open.

Copeland would give no additional details after the board meeting about how the school might be saved. But, he said, "Since last week, we’ve had a lot of calls – people who want to see if they can help. The board is vetting through some possibilities."

Suzanne Lindley, dean of the College of Health and Sciences, has been at the university for about 25 years. She said she was glad to hear that the board believes there might be a way forward for Limestone, "but I'm sorry we had to halfway blow the place up to get people's attention."

Lindley said that students and staff members have been trying to figure out plans for next year. Even if Limestone remains open, she worries that some will have made the decision to move on.

Copeland said that recruiting and retention numbers for next year were strong. If the university didn't have the immediate $6 million gap in the budget, "the future was looking incredibly bright," he said.

He acknowledged that the loss of students amid the uncertainty is "challenging."

For now, there has been a surge in school spirit on the campus.

There are homemade signs with messages of support. And the university bookstore has seen an increase in sales, said manager Patti McCraw.

"We've been swamped," said McCraw. "Students, alumni, parents — we've had online orders. They're buying hats, shirts, mugs — everything."

McCraw has worked at Limestone for 27 years. She is hopeful that this one won't be her last. "It's been a great journey to love on these students and support them. I'm counting on many more years to do that."