LA PLUME TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Students are returning to a local college campus after Thanksgiving break with way more than the holiday season on their minds.
Keystone College faces the possibility of closing after learning last week that it's no longer accredited.
It's back to reality for Keystone College Juniors Abigail Hall and Clifford Mastricola.
With their Thanksgiving break over, they returned on Sunday to Keystone College.
"This whole semester has been very strange. It's been very strange here," Hall explained.
After Keystone seemingly dodged an accreditation hurdle at the start of the semester, it now faces another.
The college received a letter last week from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
That organization, which accredits colleges and universities, informed Keystone it's pulling the school's accreditation.
While Keystone appeals the decision, students like Hall are left in limbo. She is studying Wildlife Biology and may have never attended college if Keystone did not offer the course.
"I'm really relying on this place because, money-wise, it's what I can afford," Hall said.
To make matters worse, the accreditation ruling means Keystone College students cannot receive financial aid for tuition.
"I'm on student aid, so I really don't want to take out a loan so it's been stressful," Mastricola said.
Mastricola, who came to Keystone as a transfer student, did not expect it could possibly happen again.
"I've been through it two times already. I know how hard it is to go find another school," Mastricola stated.
This upcoming spring semester will be the last for senior Brandon Scott, a member of the Keystone College Giants basketball team.
"I know for some of the younger guys on the team they were enjoying it here and now having to open up their recruitment again and find somewhere else to go it's going to be tough on them because they gelled together really well," Scott said.
Keystone College President John Pullo sent an email to students that read in part the following.
I still firmly believe that the future includes Keystone College in it and will continue to fight for our success.
Keystone College President John Pullo
Students like Hall can only hope that's true.
"I'm trying not to worry about it too much, enjoy the time we have left here and do what we gotta do and it will work out somehow," Hall continued.
Without accreditation, Keystone College cannot recruit, market, or enroll new students.
Keystone is required to come up with a teach-out plan this week to safeguard its students if it were to shut down.
