BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kristyn Clare's dreams were shattered when she learned Medaille University, the school she'd been attending for two years, was closing abruptly this summer.

"I'm not good," Clare said. "I don't think anyone you ask on campus is feeling good about anything that's going on because we're all losing a really important part of our lives."

She dove into extra curriculars as a freshman and dreamt up a future embedded in the Medaille and Buffalo communities. The field hockey player thought the next four years of her life were set in stone. Instead, she is back to square one applying to colleges and decided where to finish out her degree.

As a member of the Student Government Association, Clare said she was disappointed in the lack of transparency and communication throughout the University's asset acquisition deal with Trocaire College. When that deal fell through, Medaille announced its permanent closure.

Medaille University Interim President Dr. Lori Quigley issued this statement on Monday:

"Medaille has been under significant budgetary constraints over the last several months due to several factors, including declining enrollment, outstanding liabilities and other challenges that are affecting colleges and universities across the region, state and nation. Because the integration will not occur, and due to the financial instability of the institution, the Medaille University Board of Trustees has voted to close Medaille, as of August 31, 2023...In the weeks ahead, Medaille faculty and staff will be working with each student individually to assist them in the teach-out process to other institutions. Our first concern and highest priority is to successfully transfer all current Medaille students to other schools where they will be able to finish their academic careers in their chosen discipline. Students who are on track to complete their required credit hours and graduate on or before August 31, 2023, will still be able to complete their coursework and earn their degree from Medaille University."

A number of schools have entered into teach-out agreements to help students transfer and finish their degrees. Clare said she is talking with representatives from Niagara University about potentially finishing her communications degree there. This time, however, she is moving with caution.

“Now whenever I go to these other universities, seeing where I’m going to go next, where I will transfer, now I need to know that there is a community there, there’s safety there and that it’s not going to close,” said Clare.