BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo State University will be cutting more than 30 programs in what it has said is an effort to "capitalize on the university’s academic strengths, manage costs, and meet evolving student needs."
In a news release shared on Thursday, Buffalo State shared its new plan to combat 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,” Interim President Bonita R. Durand said.
The university said it hopes that with these new plans, it will be able to reposition itself for a better opportunity at long-term financial and institutional health.
“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.”
“As an active and supportive alumna, I am proud and confident in Interim President Durand's leadership, strategic vision and fiscal stewardship to address the university's existing $16.5 million deficit,” New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said. “Buffalo State is a critical regional institution for education and employment. With continued support from SUNY, I believe that the internal rightsizing underway will set Buffalo State University up for long-term financial health and success.”
“The Framework for Financial Sustainability plan that has been put forth by Interim President Bonita Durand inspires confidence in Buffalo State University's long-term future and the impact it will continue to have on the City of Buffalo and Western New York. This is the right leadership at the right time for Buffalo State,” New York State Senator Sean Ryan said. “I was pleased to join my colleagues in the New York State Legislature to work with Governor Hochul for a continued financial commitment to SUNY and its institutions across New York.”
The plan is in collaboration with SUNY experts and the shared governance structure. They are hoping that it will strengthen the following:
- The strategic vision for the university includes capitalizing on areas where Buffalo State excels, such as by:
- Creating new teacher education pipelines to help meet New York state’s teacher shortage;
- Nurturing STEM programs that focus on applied learning to make Buffalo State a key anchor of the upstate NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub;
- Leveraging Buffalo’s place as an epicenter of arts, culture and tourism to bolster art and hospitality programs;
- Reviving a pipeline that prepares Buffalo State students to seamlessly pursue their Ph.D. through the University at Buffalo;
- Creating Buffalo State’s first doctorate for Creative Studies, under review by SUNY.
The release also said that "Buffalo State enrollment has declined by 42% over the last decade. However, the campus saw an increase in first-time undergraduate enrollment in Fall 2023, which is a hopeful sign. As a university at the center of the Western New York educational landscape, the plan calls for the continuation of intensive recruitment through local opportunities like an Early Middle College agreement with Buffalo Public Schools, as well as through outreach in high-growth areas of the state like New York City. The plan also focuses on student retention through support programs like Roar 2 Success and a revised academic advising structure."
According to Geoff Nason, director of communication and content strategy for the university, "nearly all of the deactivated or discontinued degree programs, certification titles, concentrations, minors, and certificates have thriving alternatives or were replaced by revamped programs that better meet the needs of the communities Buffalo State serves. For example, the School of Education still offers four different paths to certification in early childhood education."
"Interim President Bonita Durand has developed a plan, created in collaboration with numerous Buffalo State University stakeholders, that builds upon this institution's high standards," Buffalo State Council Chair Linda Dobmeier said. "Buffalo State will continue to be recognized as a university that supports its students and develops them into leaders who can positively impact our region and state."
The 37 degree program cuts are listed as:
- Afro-American Studies, B.S.
- Biology Education, certificate (42 credit hours)
- Biology Education, certificate (36 credit hours)
- Chemistry, M.A.
- Chemistry Education, M.S.Ed.
- Chemistry Education, certificate (42 credit hours)
- Chemistry Education, certificate (36 credit hours)
- Dance, minor
- Design, B.S.
- Early Childhood Education, M.S.Ed.
- Early Childhood Education, B.S.
- Foreign Language Education, M.S.Ed.
- French and Francophone Culture, minor
- French Education, B.S.
- French Education, certificate
- Italian, minor
- Literacy Specialist, 5-12, M.P.S.
- Physics, M.A.
- Physics Education, certificate (42 credit hours)
- Physics Education, certificate (36 credit hours)
- Professional Applied and Computational Mathematics, M.S.
- Professional French, minor
- Spanish Education, B.S.
- Spanish Education, certificate
- Special Studies, B.S.
- Urban Education, M.S.
- Urban Studies, B.A.
An additional 10 programs are under review for deactivation by Spring 2025:
- Applied Math, B.S.
- Ethics, minor
- Gerontology, minor
- GIS, minor
- Mathematical Logic, certificate
- Non-Spanish and Chinese Concentrations, certificate
- Printmaking, minor
- Printmaking Concentration, concentrations in B.F.A. and B.A.
- Religious Studies, minor
- Statistics in Insurance, certificate
To learn more visit suny.buffalostate.edu
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