BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo State University laid out its plan Thursday for financial sustainability. It says this plan will ensure long-term student and campus success.
What's included?
- A new teacher education pipeline to help meet New York State's teacher shortage
- Reviving a pipeline that prepares students to pursue their Ph.D. through the University at Buffalo
- Creating Buffalo State's First Doctorate for Creative Studies
- A continuation of intensive recruitment and outreach in high-growth areas of the state
- 37 programs discontinued which collectively enroll 34 students. An additional 10 programs are under review for deactivation
- Previously announced 12-month campuswide hiring freeze will remain in place
Buffalo State's Interim President Bonita Durand, Ph.D., presented this plan in front of the campus community and stakeholders Thursday. She calls it a multi-pronged approach to eliminating the university's $16.5 million structural deficit.
“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: delivering a high-quality educational experience for our students,” Durand said. “With the support of elected leadership, SUNY leadership, our community partners, our campus community and our Buffalo State family, we will solidify our role as a premier academic institution that meets students’ evolving needs for years to come.”
The campus will be cutting 37 programs, a continued hiring freeze, and a voluntary separation program, all to save money with hopes of boosting enrollment and retaining students.
7 News Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley asked Durand about the 37 program cuts, that only had 35 students enrolled.
“Many of them are bachelor of fine arts concentrations, which means programs such as printmaking, photography, paper making, programs that were once very highly sought after and had concentrations, but are not as highly sought after now," replied Durand.
Last year, SUNY gave Buffalo State a $5.3 million increase in Direct State Tax Support, followed by another $2.8 million increase this year.
“With support from historic levels of State investment, Interim President Durand has outlined a thoughtful, well-planned vision for Buffalo State that balances tough but necessary choices with creative thinking, putting the university in the best possible position to achieve long-term financial health and growth,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said. “A strong Buffalo State is integral to ensuring a strong SUNY system. Interim President Durand and the Buffalo State community have my full support in their work to secure a brighter future for the institution and, most importantly, our students.”
Buffalo State says enrollment has declined by 42% over the last decade but the campus saw an increase in first-time undergraduate enrollment in Fall 2023, which it calls a hopeful sign.
“Colleagues please know that I am here ready and prepared to stand alongside of you as we make very tough decisions,” remarked Durand.
The University is now working to right-size its workforce, but that will include job cuts in administration, instruction, and non-instruction areas saying they are "leaving no stone unturned."
"How many professors, full-time, do you expect to go into retirement or walk away from their jobs?" Buckley asked Economic Professor Fred Floss. "Quite frankly, I'm not sure," answered Floss.
Floss tells me he does suspect a number will take the voluntary separation agreement and stresses some of the position cuts will hurt students.
"If you're getting rid of all of these faculty members, you're not actually hurting them because they're going to be able to go out and find another job, for the most part, what you're doing is hurting the students and hurting the community because those faculty members won't be here," Floss noted.
It was a packed house as the interim president delivered some tough news to the campus community to shore up its financial future.
"The task we face with our structural deficit is to balance the workforce and to increase and stabilize our enrollment,” remarked Durand.
Buff State is expecting an enrollment increase for the fall but uncertainly remains.
"However, we have a real challenge with FASFA, and students not knowing whether they can afford to come. and that's just not us that's everybody in the country," Durand stated.
The interim president noted, that while these are very tough decisions, Buffalo State isn't going anywhere.
"We believe that these are the decisions that we need to make to create a strong and sustainable Buffalo State," Durand commented.
