SUNY Buffalo State announces financial sustainability plan

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Buffalo State University has unveiled a financial stability framework. Part of the plan includes continuing the campus-wide hiring freeze and shutting down 37 degree programs.

In a speech to the campus community and stakeholders Thursday, Buffalo State Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., outlined a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to eliminating the structural deficit of $16.5 million to the university and maximize the historic level of investment in the SUNY System by Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration over the past two years.

“I am confident that our Buffalo State University community can both ensure our long-term financial sustainability while continuing to do what we do best: providing a high-quality educational experience for our students.” , said Durand. “With the support of elected leaders, SUNY leaders, our community partners, our campus community and our Buffalo State family, we will solidify our role as a leading academic institution that meets the evolving needs of students to coming years.

SUNY gave Buffalo State a $5.3 million increase in direct state tax support last year, followed by another $2.8 million increase this year. This represents a total two-year increase in state support of almost 40 percent.

“With the support of historic levels of state investment, Interim President Durand has presented a thoughtful, well-planned vision for Buffalo State that balances difficult but necessary choices with creative thinking, placing the university in the best possible position to achieve long-term financial health. and growth,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “A strong Buffalo State is essential to ensuring a strong SUNY system. Interim President Durand and the Buffalo State community have my full support as they work to secure a brighter future for the institution and, more importantly, our students.

The plan was developed in collaboration with SUNY experts and the shared governance structure. It carefully balances a series of measures designed to leverage the university’s strengths, reduce costs, increase revenue and invest in student success, including:
Building on Buffalo State’s strengths: The university’s strategic vision includes capitalizing on areas in which Buffalo State excels, such as: Creating new teacher education pathways to help address New State’s teacher shortage York; Promote STEM programs focused on applied learning to make Buffalo State a key anchor for New York State. in upstate New York SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub; leveraging Buffalo’s place as an epicenter of arts, culture and tourism to strengthen arts and hospitality programs; restart a pipeline that prepares Buffalo State students to seamlessly pursue their Ph.D. through the University at Buffalo; creation of Buffalo State’s first doctorate in creative studies, currently under consideration by SUNY.
Increase and stabilization of registrations: Enrollment at Buffalo State has declined 42 percent over the past decade. However, the campus saw an increase in first-time undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023, which is an encouraging sign. As a university centrally located in Western New York’s educational landscape, the plan calls for continued intensive recruiting through local opportunities such as an Early Middle College agreement with public schools of Buffalo, as well as outreach in high-growth areas of the state. like New York. The plan also focuses on student retention through support programs such as Roar 2 Success and a revised academic advising structure.

Thirty-seven degree programs, certification credentials, concentrations, minors and certificates – which collectively enroll 34 students, or 0.6 percent of the overall student population – have been identified for deactivation and discontinuation. To date, 27 of these have been reviewed through Buffalo State University processes and have been completed or are under review at the SUNY and state level. Buffalo State will no longer admit students to these programs, and all students currently enrolled in these programs will be able to graduate. Ten additional programs are under review for deactivation by spring 2025.

Workforce optimization: The previously announced 12-month campus-wide hiring freeze will remain in effect, as will the phased retirement program. The university will also implement a voluntary separation program with funding from the Buffalo State Foundation. The university will continue to review operating expenses to determine areas where academic and non-academic departments may be overburdened with staff who can help fill vacancies elsewhere, as well as areas where consolidation may lead to gains efficiency.