HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A piece of land owned by Marshall University remains the center of divided attention.

The Cabell County Board of Education wants to buy the property and build a new middle school, but Prestera Mental Health Services also wants the land to expand their addiction and recovery services.

Until the university makes a decision, students who live at University Heights say they're stuck in the middle and don't want to move at all. University Heights primarily houses married and non-traditional students.

Amanda Thompson is a non-traditional student who lives a couple miles off Marshall's campus.

"I'm an older student and prefer to live away from campus and not live near the rush and crowd," she said.

Soon, Thompson and other students who live here with their children might have to find a new place to live if Marshall sells the University Heights property. Marshall student Steward Deering said he thinks the university should have informed students before the story appeared in the news.

Bill Bissett, Marshall chief of staff, said students’ needs are the first priority.

"Everybody who lives at University Heights -- their leases will be honored," he said. "No one's going to be kicked out. We are following it to the letter."

Bissett said a decision hasn't been made and the Board of Governors might not sell the property at all. But all this talk is causing concern.

Marshall gave residents a letter explaining the situation Thursday. Marshall student Justin Jones has started an online petition and said he hopes Marshall will not sell the land.

Marshall's Board of Governors will meet Sept. 12 to discuss the issue. In the meantime, they're asking both Prestera and the Cabell County school board for more information.