SUNY Niagara Cancels Evening LPN Classes, Students Frustrated

News Summary

SUNY Niagara’s abrupt cancellation of evening Licensed Practical Nurse classes disrupts students just days before the semester begins. Many, including Felicia Nieves and Luis Garcia, face challenges due to the last-minute changes. While the administration cites instructor shortages, affected students criticize the lack of alternatives. SUNY Niagara plans to offer refunds for class materials and aims to restore evening classes by the spring semester, but for now, students must reconsider their educational paths and financial commitments.

Niagara Falls, NY – SUNY Niagara’s decision to cancel evening Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) classes just five days before the start of the school year has left many students frustrated and scrambling for alternatives. The last-minute cancellation, attributed to multiple evening instructors leaving for other jobs, has disrupted the plans of students who had prepared for the upcoming semester.

Among those affected is Felicia Nieves, a dedicated student who has invested nearly $9,000 in student loans. Nieves has completed three semesters at SUNY Niagara, fulfilling program prerequisites and general-education courses while managing a full-time job and parenting responsibilities. She expressed strong dissatisfaction with the school’s handling of the situation, criticizing the lack of viable alternatives since the only option provided was to shift into daytime classes, which she cannot attend due to her work commitments.

Another student, Luis Garcia, also faced disappointment upon learning about the course cancellation shortly before classes were scheduled to begin. Garcia had spent around $400 on books and supplies and had adjusted his work schedule to accommodate the evening classes. The sudden change has left him feeling shocked and upset.

SUNY Niagara’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maher Ghalayini, explained that the unanticipated departure of instructors created a staffing shortfall that could not be rectified in time. In an effort to mitigate the impact on students, the school has provided options to transition to daytime or morning classes, with the overwhelming majority able to make this switch. As of now, only three students have not been able to find suitable alternatives.

To ease the financial burden, SUNY Niagara has committed to refunding students for their class supplies, which includes books and materials purchased in anticipation of their evening coursework. This decision is aimed at helping alleviate some of the students’ frustrations following the sudden cancellation.

Despite the disappointment felt by Nieves and her peers, Dr. Ghalayini reassured them that the courses they have already completed will be applicable to other healthcare fields or will fulfill prerequisites for future practical nursing programs. This may provide some comfort to students concerned about their academic progress and future career trajectories.

The administration is working towards hiring new instructors to resume evening classes for the spring semester. Dr. Ghalayini indicated that the school anticipates having the necessary staff in place to reinstate the evening program, allowing for a smoother transition for students seeking flexibility in their education.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in maintaining consistent staffing, as well as the complications that can arise for students juggling multiple responsibilities. As students like Nieves and Garcia navigate their future educational pathways, their experiences underline the need for colleges to have contingency plans in place for unforeseen staffing issues.

The upcoming semester for SUNY Niagara remains uncertain for those affected, but the administration is actively seeking solutions to restore confidence and support for students facing disruption. As the school looks to stabilize its program offerings, students are now left to reconsider their educational options and financial commitments.

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Additional Resources

• WKBW: Three Semesters Wasted
• Wikipedia: SUNY Niagara
• WIVB: Student Speaks Out
• Google Search: SUNY Niagara nursing program cancellation
• WNYPapers: SUNY Niagara Enrollment Up 11%
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Nursing
• KGN: SUNY Niagara Cancellation
• Google News: SUNY Niagara evening classes cancellation