But St. John’s is hardly the only institution of higher learning to either merge campuses or close its doors as a result of low enrollment or economic challenges over the past few years. More than 91 colleges closed between 2016 and 2023, including 15 in 2023 alone; 44 percent of the schools were, like St. John’s, religiously affiliated. The Staten Island campus, created in 1971, has traditionally been home to students mainly from Brooklyn and Staten Island, the majority of whom, being commuters, appreciated being able to get a college education in the vicinity of their local communities. The campus’s culture reflects that of Staten Island, whose residents often value planting one’s roots in the neighborhood and maintaining proximity to family over making frequent moves in the name of upward mobility. “Small colleges,” Mr. Franek said, “have been outstanding at offering their students an excellent liberal arts education.

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Persons: John’s, Vincent de Paul, — socioeconomically, Rob Franek, ”, Mr, Franek, “ Organizations: Vincentian Fathers, Queens, The Princeton, “ Locations: York, St, Staten, Brooklyn, Staten Island, U.S