A private university in Adrian, Michigan, has announced it will close at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. 

Siena Heights University and President Douglas Palmer made the announcement Monday, citing "the full support of the Board of Trustees and General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters."  

"Everything from the COVID pandemic to even what we're seeing down in Washington D.C. these days, there just isn't the same confidence in higher education, and that's a shame because it's going to hit these communities very, very hard," Palmer told CBS News Detroit.

The Catholic university was founded in 1919 and offered degrees at the associate, bachelor and master's levels, with majors that included accounting, criminal justice, elementary education, math and religious studies. Playing under the name of the Saints, the student sports programs included cross-country, volleyball and soccer. Siena Heights became co-ed in 1969 and is one of about a dozen Dominican Catholic colleges and universities in the country. 

In addition to the main campus in Adrian, the university had what it called "degree completion centers" in Dearborn, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Jackson. There were also online classes.  

The school's website said more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students received some kind of financial aid.

"We're going to be here next year, we're going to be doing everything we planned on doing. We're going to have a full slate of athletic programs, student activities, and of course, all of our classes, but we understand for some students, they may seek to transfer early, and we're prepared to facilitate that in any way we can," Palmer said. 

Efforts will be made to work with students and partner institutions on class and credit transfers with "as little disruption as possible," the school said. 

Faculty and staff will also be given transition assistance. 

"The intent is to have as full and vibrant an academic year as possible, including academics, athletics, support services, and extracurriculars," the press release said. 

"We are deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have worked hard decade after decade to make Siena Heights an incredibly special place," Dr. Palmer said. "We look ahead to the next academic year planning all the activities one would normally get including athletics, residential life, and great events that we share with our alumni and entire community." 

Jeffrey R. Docking, president of Adrian College, said his campus community "extends our thoughts, prayers, and support to all those affected."

The two schools, while independent institutions, had worked together on numerous projects for the community, and Docking said the loss "will be deeply felt throughout the City of Adrian, Lenawee County, and beyond."