A for-profit college based in South Florida is going out of business.
A for-profit college based in South Florida is going out of business.
On Friday, staff at Dade Medical College was told the school would close its doors for good by the end of the day.
The school had six campuses from South Florida to Jacksonville. But the school was under scrutiny over its finances and the poor performance of its students on certification exams.
The Florida Department of Education is working with students to place them at other schools that offer similar programs.
Chairman Ernesto Perez sent an email to all employees and students on Friday saying in part:
Today it is with great sadness that I must announce that Dade Medical College and the University of Southernmost Florida will be closing effective October 30, 2015, across all of our campuses and our corporate offices.
Since the school's opening in 1999, Dade Medical College contributed to the community through the training of thousands of Nursing and Allied Healthcare workers that graduated and are working in their field. Thank you all for your invaluable contributions to our institutions and your immense loyalty and dedication.
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So my friends, I want to thank each and every one of you for believing in us every time we may have faltered and for being a part of this journey.
Students told NBC 6 they were shocked and frustrated to hear the news.
"I'm very upset. I feel like there's a certain way to do things, to close a school down without giving anybody any explanation," said Tallulah Hinds, nursing student.
Many students showed up for class on Friday evening at the Miami Lakes campus, only to find the doors shut.
"My question is, how do I get my transcripts? Because I do want to finish my education and I need answers," Hinds added.
An instructor said he had no clue the closure was coming. He also said the school owes him about $3,000 because his last paycheck didn't come through.
A reason for the closure hasn't been released, but the memo from Perez said there will be more information in the coming days posted on the institution's website.
Many students showed up to Perez's home on Friday night, angry about the closure. Police officers were there as well. The students wanted to knock on Perez's door, but were warned to stay away.
