Staten Island, N.Y. — It’s been over a year since St. John’s University shut down its Grymes Hill campus, but details about the 16.5-acre property remain scarce. The university is actively seeking a suitable buyer, hoping to pass the torch to an organization that can uphold its educational legacy.
Brian Browne, a spokesperson for St. John’s, mentioned, “We’re having positive conversations with educational institutions that align with our tradition of teaching and learning.” The university is dedicated to finding the right partner for the campus.
Originally established in 1934 as Notre Dame College, the campus was a well-respected women’s college for over thirty years. St. John’s University merged with Notre Dame in the late 1960s and expanded its programs to include liberal arts, business, and education degrees for the first time on Staten Island in 1971.
For two decades, enrollment grew, with the campus peaking at around 2,300 students in fall 2000. However, the trend took a downturn, with a sharp decline to just 861 students by fall 2021. This drastic drop in enrollment, worsened by the pandemic, prompted the closure of the campus.
Experts suggest that declining enrollment rates are a common challenge for many institutions. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, college enrollment nationwide has dropped by over 1 million students since 2019. This shift may indicate a need for universities to reevaluate their offerings and adapt to changing student needs.
Browne has confirmed that the university’s real estate adviser, Savills Inc., is promoting the campus as a prime opportunity for educational use. Interestingly, while the property’s zoning allows for residential development, Browne has dismissed rumors of transforming it into low-income housing. “We’ve had multiple inquiries, and none of the interested parties have shown interest in low-income housing,” he stated.
This situation has sparked conversations in the community. Many residents hope the right buyer will restore the property’s educational purpose, reflecting a collective desire to keep the spirit of learning alive on Grymes Hill.
In summary, while the future of the former St. John’s campus remains uncertain, the university is committed to finding a suitable buyer, highlighting a blend of hope and community interest in preserving its educational legacy.
For more information on enrollment trends and their impact on universities, visit the National Student Clearinghouse.
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