Two students suing the College for their diplomas have dropped their suit and may have lost their last chance to stay in the country, a lawyer for one of the students said this week.

"The students simply don't have the resources to continue fighting, so the legal challenge to the administrative board proceedings is going to be withdrawn," said David E. Kelston, who represents one of the former members of the Class of 1999, Valentin Dinu.

"We're sorry that we can't take this further, but time and money simply make it impossible," he added.

Kelston said the decision to drop the case leaves the two students' ability to remain in the U.S. in jeopardy. Abraham Tsoukalidis is a Greek citizen, and Dinu is a Romanian citizen. Neither could be reached for comment.

Since they have been suspended from the College, the two are not eligible for student visas. And without College diplomas, Kelston said, they are not eligible for permanent work visas, either.

As a result, Tsoukalidis has already returned to Greece, and Dinu may be forced to return to Romania in March, when his visa expires.

"Mr. Dinu has work authorization through mid-March of 2000," Kelston said. "He has nine months from the time of graduation in which he can stay in this country and receive practical training."

After that, however, Dinu would need a college degree to stay in the country.

And although Dinu petitioned the College to shorten his withdrawal period to six months so that he could get a work visa, Kelston said the College "flatly refused."