The College of Saint Rose faces an uncertain future due to ongoing financial struggles, which have forced the school to look for outside assistance.

Local leaders say they are working to keep the private Albany college afloat.

The school's board is set to meet tomorrow to review finances that may ultimately impact Saint Rose's Middle States Commission on Higher Education certification.

The college requested $5 million in financial assistance from the city of Albany, according to David Galin, Mayor Kathy Sheehan's chief of staff.

"Mayor Sheehan believes it is in the City of Albany’s and our residents’ best interest for the College of St. Rose to continue to operate," Galin said in a statement to Spectrum News 1. "There are a number of legal and fiscal hurdles the City would have to overcome to provide direct aid to a private college, and we are exploring how we can help."

On the state level, Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, who chairs the Committee on Higher Education Committee, said all options are being considered to keep academic programs such as nursing, teaching and social work alive.

In 2020, St. Rose suspended some programs, which resulted in a number of faculty members, tenured and on track to become tenured, being let go due to financial strain.

The programs were in music, art, math and science.

College President Marcia White was not available for an interview Wednesday.

A spokeswoman said the college has been forthright about its financial challenges, and continues to explore all options.

Andrew Joyce, chair of the Albany County Legislature, said on Facebook that local and state governments should help the school if they can.

"St. Rose must then make sweeping changes and eliminate unnecessary administrative costs," Joyce added.

Saint Rose was first accredited in 1928, per Middle States records. Its last reaffirmation was in 2014, and it is currently listed on the MSCHE site under a Non-Compliance Warning status.

The college was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1920, becoming fully co-ed in 1969.