Limestone University in Gaffney needs $6 million in financial support, or it will need to move to a fully online model or begin ceasing operations.

On Facebook, the school wrote, “Our President met with students and employees in person today on this topic. Please join us in praying for God’s guidance and strength in the days ahead.”

The university is considering “a scenario that would discontinue all in-person academic operations and all other activities, including athletics, in Gaffney,” according to university officials.

“The fully online model would effectively end the traditional college campus experience,” they wrote.

The Limestone University Board of Trustees will meet on April 22 to discuss the 179-year-old institution’s next steps.

“Limestone remains committed to our students, and we will work directly with current students to help them identify the best path to successfully complete their educational journey,” said Randall Richardson, chair of the Limestone University Board of Trustees in an online post. “We are reaching out separately to students with information regarding options to continue their education.”

Limestone currently offers both in-person and online classes.

“The Board’s priority is to preserve the Limestone mission of education and service on our campus, in addition to online,” Richardson said.

“But without this financial lifeline, we will have no choice but to move all operations online, which means closing our physical campus,” Richardson said.

Limestone hopes to maintain online degree programs.

According to the online announcement, the institution’s online portion has seen strong growth and could support long-term stability.

The institution has a $150 million annual economic impact on Cherokee County, and a shift to online-only instruction could also affect the local economy, according to officials.

The university cited nationwide enrollment declines, rising costs, and long-standing structural pressures facing small, private institutions as the reasons for the school’s financial instability.

The proposed $6 million emergency fund would stabilize operations and allow the university to pursue long-term solutions that preserve its on-campus identity, officials said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Content Editor Jose Franco can be reached at [email protected]