This weekend is the end of an era for the College of Saint Rose in Albany, a school that has helped educate New Yorkers and their teachers for generations.

Residence halls at the Capital Region college closed for the final time on Thursday after more than 100 years. 

Officials have cited a decline in enrollment as one of the reasons for the college's closure, as well as a projected deficit of $11.3 million for this year.

Several nearby colleges have partnered with Saint Rose to help students transfer.

“I thought I was going to be here at least one more year, but things happen and I’m willing for change,” Saint Rose junior Erin Duffy said. 

The school's final commencement ceremony is set for this weekend.

“My sister graduated from Sage a few years ago. My mom also went to Russell Sage...I’m grateful I’m able to go there,” Duffy said.

They say they'll miss the sense of community on campus the most.

“Everyone is very nice to everyone," Duffy said. "You say 'hi' and everyone says hi back. You get to make a great community of friends.”

Saint Rose is one of 11 colleges to have shut down since 2020.

Wells College was the latest to announce it will be closing.

Conversations about what happens next to the infrastructure that makes up the college have been ongoing since its closure was announced last year.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy wants to buy a majority of the properties contingent on the state creating a new public redevelopment authority.