Newbury College to close after spring 2019 semester

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Newbury College announced on Friday afternoon that they intend to close likely following the spring 2019 semester, according to a statement on their website from Dr. Joseph L. Chillo, President of the college. The statement cites financial challenges as the main reasons for closing.

"This is an awful and terrible thing, there’s no question about that," said Mass. Governor Charlie Baker.

In the statement, Chillo mentioned the major changes in costs and demographics as some of the biggest financial issues the college has faced. The statement goes onto mention that the decision came after the college exhausted its options to continue to stay open.

Newbury College is a small liberal arts college located in Brookline, Mass. It has been open for 57 years.

Chillo personally thanked all who have been involved with Newbury College in its more than half a century history. He also mentioned that the college is working with the commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education and other local universities to ensure the current students of Newbury College can continue their studies and earn their degrees.

“Newbury’s top priority is to ensure that our students, our faculty, and our staff remain at the forefront of all we do in the coming weeks and months,” the statement reads.

“We are providing this notice, before we are legally required to do so, because it is the right thing to do. Our people, the dignity of our mission, and the legacy of the institution are our most important concerns of today.”

Governor Charlie Baker acknowledged the uncertain future for students and staff of the college on Friday.

"The Board of higher education is going to work aggressively with them to make sure that the kids and as many as staff as possible have options and possibilities," said Gov. Baker. "I think Newbury has made a really good faith effort under a really tough situation to try to figure out a path forward that provides people with options."

In May, Mount Ida College in Newton closed its doors as well; the University of Massachusetts-Amherst acquired the Newton campus, allowing former students to complete their degrees. May also saw the final crop of graduates from Wheelock College, which merged with Boston University after an October 2017 announcement.

Other colleges are already reaching out to students exploring other options, including Regis, where the college tweeted saying they're offering a streamlined admissions process for qualified candidates.

Cox Media Group