Faced with a $16.5 million deficit, Buffalo State will cut 37 degree programs

The trend of budget cuts in higher education continues. Buffalo State University Interim President Bonita R. Durand announced Thursday that the institution should take several steps to reduce its current $16.5 million budget deficit, caused largely by a 42% decline in student enrollment over the past decade. Buffalo State is part of the State University of New York system; its fall 2023 enrollment was just over 6,400 students.

As part of the plan, 37 degree programs, certification titles, concentrations, minors and certificates have been identified for deactivation and discontinuation. The university said these programs collectively enroll only 34 students, or 0.6 percent of the overall student population.

So far, 27 of the programs slated for elimination have been reviewed through university processes and have been completed or are under review at the SUNY and state levels. Buffalo State said it would no longer admit students to those programs, but everyone who was currently enrolled would be able to graduate. The remaining 10 programs are under review for deactivation by spring 2025.

Undergraduate majors that will no longer admit new students include African American studies, early childhood education, design, French education, Spanish education, and urban studies. Graduate programs that will be eliminated include master’s programs in chemistry, early childhood education, physics, applied and computational mathematics, and urban education.

Durand said the “Framework Plan for Financial Sustainability” would also involve several other elements, including:

• an increase in state appropriations for the university,
• improved student recruitment, including the addition of programs with opportunities for enrollment growth,
• increased emphasis on academic perseverance,
• consolidation of staff positions to increase efficiency and reduce expenses; And
• continuation of a 12-month campus-wide hiring freeze and phased retirement program.

The university is also introducing a unique voluntary separation program with support from the Buffalo State Foundation.

In his campus speech, Durand said the university’s initial plan was to try to reduce most of the budget deficit through workforce attrition and a hiring freeze. However, as these two measures have not yet yielded the expected financial results, additional measures have become necessary.

“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.” , Durand said in a university press release. “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.

In their official statements, system and faculty leaders expressed support for the plan. “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,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said.

Ken Fujiuchi, president of the Buffalo State College Senate, added, “As Buffalo State University faces challenges, we remain committed to making important decisions through shared governance to ensure stability and financial progress. Acting President Durand’s cooperative leadership and unwavering dedication to shared governance are invaluable as we work together for a better future.