BUFFALO, N.Y. — Last week 2 On Your Side learned more about state funding for SUNY colleges, including Fredonia and Buffalo State, which are dealing with significant deficits and cost cutting measures.
As it turns out, state lawmakers did increase operating aid for the state university system by $60 million, along with $60 million in capital funding for SUNY campus renovations, and another $6 million for community college support.
We do not yet know exactly how much of that would filter down to SUNY Fredonia and Buffalo State, but SUNY chancellor Dr. John King said in an interview last week that SUNY Fredonia adjustments with 13 cancelled majors were difficult but necessary.
"So even though they are eliminating some programs that almost no students enrolled in them, they are also adding programs that are well matched to real needs in the regional economy," Dr. King said. "So for example, mental health is an area where we need to grow our workforce as a state. They're making an investment there, so I think you're going to see good things ahead for SUNY Fredonia."
Chancellor King also defended the choice to keep interim Buffalo State president Bonita Durand in place for another two years while they search for a new president for that campus. Durand will work on a financial stabilization plan for Buffalo State.
As for capital investment King said "A lot of our buildings at SUNY were built in the 60's and 70's. Need updates. We've got about an eight billion dollar capital backlog. So we are hopeful that we'll see significant capital investment as well."
King is scheduled to visit the SUNY Fredonia campus on Monday morning.
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