For nearly 200 years, higher education has been a cornerstone of life in Fredonia. From the original Fredonia Academy to today’s vibrant SUNY Fredonia campus, we have collectively shaped lives, strengthened communities, and contributed to the prosperity of New York state and beyond.

That growth hasn’t always followed a straight path. Challenges have emerged along the way and we are undoubtedly facing one of them now. Like many public institutions across the country, SUNY Fredonia is navigating a period of financial strain. But let me be clear: while the circumstances are significant, they are not insurmountable.

What matters is how we respond. As poet Robert Frost once said, “The best way out is always through.” That is exactly what our financial plan is designed to do; guide SUNY Fredonia through this difficult period and emerge on stronger financial footing within three years. We can no longer afford to delay, deflect, or sidestep our responsibilities.

For more than a decade, starting well before my arrival, our campus has operated with more expenses than revenue. That’s a fact. For years, we relied on reserve funds to cover deficits without making the structural changes necessary for long-term sustainability. Simply put; we sidestepped. Because we did, the structural deficit grew. We cannot – and will not — deflect any longer.

We developed a multi-year financial plan, supported by SUNY, that includes difficult but necessary decisions. One of the hardest moments came when we discontinued 13 academic programs with consistently low enrollment. These choices were painful — but necessary. They not only help us stabilize current finances, but also allow us to reinvest in academic programs aligned with student demand and emerging workforce needs.

Thanks to these early actions, our deficit is already much lower than when we started, but more must be done. We are examining every area of campus for opportunities to be more efficient. We have recently offered an early separation incentive for employees in multiple unions representing various areas of campus. I fully support our new Vice President for Finance and Administration as he takes a fresh look at campus spending and financial strategy to keep us on track toward the goal of eliminating our structural deficit within three years.

The continued support of SUNY leadership has been critical. Their partnership has allowed Fredonia to operate during a deficit period while continuing to offer high-quality education. As a member of a strong and united SUNY system, we have been able to avoid the worst outcomes other institutions have faced.

While addressing expenses, we are also focused on stabilizing enrollment. Our financial plan includes realistic, achievable enrollment growth and budgeting aligned to those projections. That said, we are still taking strategic steps to grow enrollment as much as possible. We have invested in people and technology, revamped internal processes and improved communications to help us compete in the higher education landscape. We are reshaping scholarship packages in ways that help both students and our financial bottom line.

By executing this plan, SUNY Fredonia will not only weather this period, we will emerge stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to serve future generations of students. This plan also ensures economic stability for the broader community, which relies on SUNY Fredonia as a vital local engine of growth and opportunity.

It’s important to recognize how far we’ve come. When I arrived in the middle of the pandemic, SUNY Fredonia faced a $17 million structural deficit, declining enrollment of 10% year-over-year, a low retention rate, and instability in key leadership roles. Since then, we’ve cut the deficit by half, raised retention rates to well above the national average, and filled key leadership positions with experienced, forward-thinking professionals. We are on pace for a second straight year of growth in new students.

As I’ve done throughout my presidency, I will continue to be visible, accessible, and transparent. I remain committed to open communication with our faculty, staff, students, and community. As the President of the University Faculty Senate recently noted, “On the whole, the faculty and staff at Fredonia have far more budget information than on many other SUNY campuses.” That’s a reflection of our shared commitment to trust and transparency.

With the continued support of the Chancellor, the College Council and this community, we will lead Fredonia out of this challenge — and the best way out is always through. We will continue to work everyday to make SUNY Fredonia a destination university with centers of excellence making positive impacts in western New York and beyond.

Dr. Stephen Kolison is president of the State University of New York at Fredonia.