Limestone Univ. board needs more time to evaluate options: school president
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GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) – Limestone University’s president said Tuesday that the school’s board needs more time to come up with options in an attempt to stave off closure.

Students said they’re afraid of the unknown.

“Where am I going to be? Where’s home next? I don’t know where that’s going to be. I’ve just been praying over it,” said Limestone University student Amiyah Clark-Lamelle.

Last week, Limestone University met with students and staff stating the school was facing severe financial uncertainty and needed $6 million in immediate support.

“It was the last thing I think anybody in the room could have imagined. You could really feel just the air be sucked out of the room because it was so unexpected. We had no idea any of this was coming,” said student Maggie Chambers.

“I was just really upset, and I did cry. Everybody broke down in tears. It was just really overwhelming,” said Limestone student Alyssa Lagasse.

The university’s Board of Trustees met for more than three hours Tuesday to discuss options for the future of the school. No decision was made by the board.

According to university officials, the Board of Trustees announced a potential funding source for the university, allowing the school to continue with in-person and online classes. The funding source was not named by officials.

“This possible funding solution has us all cautiously optimistic about the future of Limestone as both an in-person and online educator,” said Randall Richardson, chair of the Limestone University Board of Trustees.

“Last week, we were at the brink of a possible closure or transition to online-only classes,” Richardson continued. “Now, we are pausing that discussion so we can wait on more information about a potential financial lifeline. We want to emphasize, this is just a possibility at the current time.”

Limestone University President Nathan Copeland said the board needs time to think through options.

“At this point, the board is evaluating a couple of possibilities and they would like a little more time to really think through this,” said Nathan Copeland, president of Limestone University. “There was a multi-hour board meeting which speaks to the interest of the board to really try to find a solution.”

Signs that said “Save our school” and “Saints never quit” are posted in front of the student center library.

Although hearts have been heavy around campus, students have been leaning on faith to get them through.

“I’m a firm believer in God, and he’s got a plan, and he tells us to lean not on your own understanding, but to rely on him with everything that you have. That’s just where I’m at right now. I know this campus was really turning around. People were turning to God,” said Chambers.

According to Copeland, the board intends to have an answer on the school’s future within a week. Copeland said another board meeting will be held no later than April 29.

“I’m grateful for this potentially positive development and ask everyone to be patient while our Board awaits more information. In the meantime, out of an abundance of caution, we need to move forward as if our on-campus activities are ending at the end of this semester and we will only offer on-line classes moving forward,” Copeland continued. “I regret the uncertainty of the situation, but we must be exceptionally cautious.”

Graduation ceremonies are still scheduled to be held on May 3 at Fullerton Auditorium.

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