OAKDALE, N.Y. ―A small liberal arts college on eastern Long Island struggling to survive has been told it is losing its accreditation Aug. 31.
Newsday reports that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is withdrawing accreditation to Dowling College. The independent agency measures the quality of more than 500 colleges and universities.
It made its decision after analyzing the school’s finances. A New York state official has said Dowling is $54 million in debt.
Dowling administrators said in late May they intended to close the school, but later rescinded that decision as it negotiates to find a financial backer.
Dowling is one of many small liberal arts colleges in the country fighting to survive. Enrollment has plummeted 62 percent since 2005 to about 1,700 students, while tuition has nearly doubled.
