Limestone University announces closure, president told not to attend final graduation
Limestone University announces closure, president told not to attend final graduation

Students and staff at Limestone University in South Carolina were told the school would be closing just days before what turned out to be its final graduation ceremony. CBS News’ Dave Malkoff reports.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, reporting on the closure of Limestone University and the president being asked not to attend the final graduation. There's a slight bias towards a negative portrayal of the situation, focusing on the abruptness of the closure and the president's absence. The core claims are supported by multiple sources.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** Limestone University in South Carolina is closing.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms the Board of Trustees voted to discontinue both on-campus and online degree programs.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms the closure announcement.
- Verdict: Accurate.
- Claim:** Students and staff were told the school would be closing just days before the final graduation ceremony.
- Verification Source #1: States the announcement was made on April 22nd, and the graduation is set for Saturday (implied to be shortly after April 22nd).
- Verification Source #2: States the final graduation ceremonies are set for Saturday.
- Verdict: Accurate.
- Claim:** The president was told not to attend the final graduation ceremony.
- Verification Source #1: States that faculty asked the president and trustees not to attend.
- Verification Source #2: States the president and board of trustees will not be attending.
- Verdict: Accurate.
- Claim:** The closure is due to a $6 million budget shortfall.
- Verification Source #1: States that Copeland told students and staff that a $6 million budget shortfall would likely lead to the university's closure.
- Verdict: Accurate.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Agreement:** All sources agree on the closure of Limestone University. Verification Source #3, Verification Source #4.
- Agreement:** Sources agree that the president and board of trustees were asked not to attend or will not be attending the graduation. Verification Source #1, Verification Source #2.
- Agreement:** The closure announcement was made shortly before the graduation ceremony. Verification Source #1, Verification Source #2.
- Agreement:** The $6 million budget shortfall is the reason for the closure. Verification Source #1.
- Lack of Coverage:** None of the sources explicitly state the exact date of the graduation ceremony, but it can be inferred from the context of the articles.