A Vermont college with ties to Bernie Sanders' wife is shutting down - and it didn't tell its students at commencement

Burlington College announced to students, faculty, and staff on Monday that it will be shuttering its doors in just two weeks, the Burlington Free Press reported.

The school will officially close on May 27.

While the college's Board of Trustees made the decision unanimously on Friday, there was no mention of the closure at the school's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, according to the Free Press.

The school celebrated its 35th commencement ceremony on Saturday, with former president and founder Dr. Steward LaCasce as the keynote speaker.

LaCasce started the college in 1972 in his living room as an alternative educational environment. Thought it grew in size - it currently has 250 students - it has maintained its free-spirited ethos.

"This is a great loss to the higher ed community," current President Carol A. Moore said on Monday, according to the Free Press.

The school seems to be in the process of sending out more information. A woman who identified herself as an administrative assistant at Burlington College asked for patience from students.

"Please keep in mind that your faculty and staff are also having to process this news and your kindness and patience is appreciated," she wrote in a Facebook post that has since been deleted.

She also indicated that students will be receiving an email informing them of what will happen next and that faculty advisors will be in touch.

Some students have already expressed their sadness and frustration on Facebook. 

 

The school's reason for closure is the "crushing weight of debt" it incurred due to a purchase of land in 2010 by then-President Jane Sanders, according to a statement from the school.

Sanders, who is the wife of Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, took out a $10 million loan for the purchase.

Burlington College did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.