A university founded by George Soros said Thursday it will be forced to leave its home in Hungary by Dec. 1 if the country's government doesn't sign an agreement allowing it to stay.

Central European University announced in a statement that incoming students will study at a new campus in Vienna starting during the 2019–20 academic year.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We have repeatedly indicated our openness to find a solution that guarantees our institutional integrity and academic freedom. We have waited as long as we possibly can," CEU President Michael Ignatieff said in a statement.

"But it would be irresponsible for us not to pursue arrangements to secure CEU's future. Unfortunately, we have been forced into this decision by the unwillingness of the Hungarian government to offer an acceptable solution," he added.

Ignatieff added at a news conference Thursday that the university would prefer to stay in Hungary and is still working to reach an agreement "even at this late hour," according to The Washington Post.

He added, however, that the Hungarian government has indicated to U.S. Ambassador David Cornstein that it likely won't sign the paperwork necessary for CEU to stay.

The Post reported Thursday that the university has been a target of the right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Hungary's parliament last year passed legislation that requires universities to offer classes in their home countries for them to be able to enroll students in Hungary. CEU then started a program at Bard College in New York in an effort to comply with the law, but the Hungarian government hasn't signed off on the program, according to the university.

CEU was founded and is heavily funded by Soros, a billionaire philanthropist and prominent liberal donor who is originally from Hungary.

Cornstein said in a statement that CEU "remains a priority for the U.S. Government," adding that "a solution is still possible."

"There is a small window to resolve this, but it needs to happen fast. I am working with both parties to continue the negotiations and find an acceptable resolution before December 1," he said.