Reframing a deceitful narrative: A braided lyric essay
“We stand together today in a moment of profound reflection and shared concern as we address the closure of the College of Saint Rose. This institutional cornerstone of Albany’s educational landscape announced on November 30 that it will cease academic instruction at the conclusion of their 2024 academic year, concluding over a century of service to our community.”
Tuesday November 21, 2024. The handicapped dorm room my friends and I spent our weeks in was filled with laughter like usual. While sitting in my friend’s wheelchair, I listened to my friend talk about their vacation.
“ Yeah, I didn’t really do too much during break but Thanksgiving was good.”
“Honestly same I just relaxed and ate a lot of f—”
“Vrrrrrrrrrrrr”
Interrupted by a notification on my phone, I got a news alert leaking the potential closure of my school. I put my phone down and finished my story, but a wave of anxiety flooded my thoughts.
“The College of Saint Rose is more than just an academic institution, it is a shining beacon of knowledge, culture, and community engagement in our beloved city. The College shaped the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff for over 103 years and left an indelible mark on the Pine Hills and Midtown neighborhoods and the broader Capital Region.”
It was a very small campus in downtown Albany. Streets filled with cracks on the floor, abandoned buildings and houses – every landmark became a cherished part of the city I called home.
“The impact that this closure will have on the College of Saint Rose students and staff is hard to put into words but we are keenly aware of the difficult path that is before them and the City as a whole. We echo the sentiments expressed by Mayor Kathy Sheehan and County Executive Daniel McCoy in their joint statement: our sympathy extends to all those who will be affected by this institution’s closure and we, as your representatives, will be tirelessly focused on minimizing the impact of this closure on our community and residents. To accomplish this, we will work on reimagining the College of Saint Rose campus through collaboration with all stakeholders – city and county officials, state and local government leaders, academia, and developers.”
I don’t talk to most of the friends I made during my time at Saint Rose. I speak to a few of them on social media occasionally, but for the most part I’ve become strangers with all of them again, only connected by what was once our home. I will always hold on to those memories in my heart, but I can never replicate those moments again with the same people.
“Most importantly, we need to work with the community at the College of Saint Rose to ensure a smooth transition. We will endeavor to assist the College’s staff in finding new employment opportunities and strive to work with students to ensure that they will be able to continue to excel in their future institutions.”
The school was primarily athletes, as I was, and the majority of them had to end their collegiate careers early or transfer mid-year to continue. I was fortunate enough to continue my athletic career but many of my peers were not. And even a few of my peers stopped going to college completely to take a gap year.
“We are dedicated to turning this obstacle into an opportunity for growth and renewal. We will explore every avenue to foster new possibilities that not only honor the legacy of the College of Saint Rose but also pave the way for future development and prosperity in the Pine Hills and Midtown neighborhoods, and throughout Albany.”
Many news channels visit the school to interview students. I was one of them – my interview got cut. Much like myself and all of my peers, our stories were cut short, and we were silenced. It’s a strange feeling knowing that your voice, your identity, existed somewhere at one point, but that place no longer exists.
“As we navigate this transition, let us remember the vital role that the College of Saint Rose played in our city’s history – a small private school for women in the 1920s that developed into the institution it is today through hard work and perseverance. The vote to close the institution presents a significant loss to our city, but in keeping with its storied history, we now have a unique opportunity to open a new chapter, to unite as a community and reaffirm our commitment to education, cultural enrichment, and economic growth.”
I heard that the school has turned into a recreation center for children, though it could be another rumor. Many people said it would turn into a rehabilitation center for prisoners or just become another abandoned building in Albany. The rumors about the school seemed to never stop, even after its closure.
“The College of Saint Rose will be missed, but we are confident that the Pine Hills and Midtown neighborhoods will persevere. The Albany community stands behind these neighborhoods through this difficult time. Together, we will work towards a future that preserves the spirit of our community and embraces new horizons of opportunity and progress.”
The college of Saint Rose will always exist in the memories of those in the community. As much as the city of Albany claimed to protect and preserve the spirit of the college, there was minimal work done to honor the lives and memories that filled those now empty streets.
georgewriting 