ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to a resolution from the SUNY Erie Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, the college will consider a new location for its South Campus in Orchard Park.
The Vice President of Enrollment Management, Erikson Neilans, couldn’t say where exactly the South Campus will be placed.
He did tell 7 News reporter Yoselin Person the Board of Trustees approved a resolution for a request for proposals.
“Which I think it’s a remarkable opportunity for the community to be involved in with what that next step is for SUNY Erie Community College,” Neilans says.
Neilans says the main takeaway of this is being committed to the Southtowns.
‘Personally, I think that’s a really important step that the institution has said so,” he says. “Then that way we’ll be able to move forward with how do we serve our students in Erie County.”
So is the resolution going to address the possible transportation issue that some students may face at the moment?
“That’s a great question, and I think that’s exactly where putting students first. Meeting them where they’re at. That’s our guiding principle here,” the vice president explains. “And so we want to take that into consideration as we look at the next wave and future.”
What will happen with the current South Campus buildings?
“That becomes part of the conversation as we look into the future of the institution,” he says.
Neilans says there isn’t a confirmed date yet on when students, faculty and others would see the plans taking place.
“Regardless of the specific region, we’re here to put students first and serve students where they are, and we will make sure to meet those needs,” he says.
The resolution states:
WHEREAS; The SUNY Erie Board of Trustees has reviewed multiple external studies regarding the facilities and programming of the College, and continues to consider the College’s current and future fiscal challenges, and
WHEREAS; this review has included consideration of enrollment trends and deferred maintenance costs in relation to the College’s current South Campus;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED; that, in order to facilitate the implementation of the College’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, specifically the foundational principle of Institutional Sustainability, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes and directs the administration to issue a request for proposals for a new location near the College’s current South Campus.
This comes after the college announced plans in March 2022 to "reorganize campus operations to create efficiencies and cost savings," which included reducing the footprint of South Campus.
READ MORE: SUNY Erie Community College announces plans to 'reorganize campus operations'
The plan to "reorganize campus" also included the canceling of six programs at South Campus that it said had "historically low enrollment."
READ MORE: SUNY ECC South to discontinue six programs due to low enrollment
In response, in August 2022, students and faculty held a forum to bring awareness to why the South Campus should stay.
READ MORE: Students and faculty hold a forum to bring awareness to why ECC South should stay
In September 2022 it was announced that several athletic fields would be transferred from South Campus to North Campus due to construction on the new Buffalo Bills stadium.
READ MORE: ECC to transfer athletic fields from South to North Campus ahead of Bills stadium construction
In May 2023 7 News took a deeper look at the future of ECC as students and the board of trustees remained hopeful for the future.
READ MORE: After facing possible bankruptcy in 2022, what's the future of ECC?
On December 5, Dr. Adiam Tsegai was named president of ECC during a special SUNY Board of Trustees meeting.
