WORCESTER, Mass. - Becker College will be closing at the end of this academic year.

It's difficult news for the town of Leicester, as the campus makes up a large portion of the center of town, occupying many of the surrounding buildings.

Town Administrator David Genereux says the school has been a large part of the town since taking over for Leicester Junior College in 1957. He says it's devastating for local businesses, as well as students and staff at the school.

Genereux says the town has a vested interest in seeing what happens to the property. "Just because Becker is closing, which is definitely difficult for the town, there is always the possibility of someone else coming in and revitalizing the campus."

Genereux say there are possibilities for the campus, and the next step now is to see if anyone has contacted Becker about using or purchasing the property.