The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) has unveiled a five-year stability plan designed to resolve an $8 million budget deficit. This comprehensive strategy includes both budget reductions and targeted growth initiatives, particularly within its Adirondack Park programs and forestry properties.
The plan, presented by college President Joanie Mahoney to the ESF board of trustees, seeks to ensure the long-term financial health of the 114-year-old institution. It aims to balance fiscal responsibility with the college's commitment to its educational and research missions.
Key Takeaways
- SUNY ESF faces an $8 million budget deficit.
- A five-year stability plan includes budget cuts and program growth.
- Forest lands budget will be reduced by $335,000.
- Staffing will decrease by 38 full-time positions over five years.
- Adirondack programs, like the Timbuctoo Climate Science Institute, will expand.
Addressing the Financial Challenges
SUNY ESF is implementing a multi-faceted approach to close its budget gap. This includes reductions in certain areas while strategically investing in others. The college's leadership emphasizes the need for stability in a challenging higher education landscape.
One significant measure involves a budget cut of $335,000 for the college's forest lands division. This division manages over 25,000 acres of forest properties, including key sites within the Adirondack Park. Despite this reduction, officials state there are no immediate plans to cut specific properties.
"Higher education across the country is under a lot of pressure right now," said John Bartow, chair of ESF’s board of trustees and executive director of the Empire State Forest Products Association. "The positive thing with ESF, we’ve been able to grow within that pressure cooker. That is a positive thing. This stabilization plan is focused on how we keep that growth going."
Staffing Reductions and Early Retirement
A central component of the stability plan is a reduction in staff. SUNY ESF aims to decrease its full-time positions by 38 over the next five years. To achieve this, the college introduced a voluntary early retirement program for eligible employees.
This program targets staff aged 55 and older with at least 10 years of service at ESF. Applications for this initiative closed on October 24. This measure is projected to save approximately $2.7 million in salaries, contributing significantly to closing the budget deficit.
Fast Fact
SUNY ESF has graduated nearly one-third of New York State's environmental staff, highlighting its critical role in environmental education and workforce development.
Growth in Adirondack Programming
Despite budget adjustments, SUNY officials are keen on expanding certain Adirondack-based programs. This strategic growth focuses on initiatives that align with the college's mission and offer unique educational opportunities.
A key area for expansion is the Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute. This program is a partnership with CUNY Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. It brings high school students from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks for educational programming focused on environmental science, social justice, and climate change.
"It’s a wonderful program," President Mahoney stated. "SUNY has really embraced it."
SUNY ESF's Adirondack Presence
SUNY ESF maintains a significant presence within the Adirondack Park, supporting various educational and research initiatives. These include:
- Dubuar Forest: 2,800 acres in Wanakena, integral to the Ranger School. Donated in 1912.
- Ranger School: Located in Wanakena, providing forest technology education and hosting DEC forest ranger training.
- Cranberry Lake Biological Station: A remote, boat-accessible research campus for studying Adirondack ecology.
- Newcomb Campus: Home to the Adirondack Ecological Center, Northern Forest Institute, and Adirondack Interpretive Center.
- Huntington Wildlife Forest: 15,000 acres in Newcomb, used for wildlife studies.
Union Concerns and Enrollment Data
The proposed cuts raised concerns among faculty. The United University Professions, a union representing 42,000 SUNY staff and retirees, expressed alarm about potential deeper reductions earlier in the month. President Mahoney's presentation aimed to address these fears and clarify the scope of the stabilization plan.
SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. highlighted the financial pressures facing the college in a recent interview. He pointed out that ESF's 14% increase in staffing did not align with its 1% increase in student enrollment. This imbalance contributed to the budget challenges.
"We don’t want to end up in a situation like a College of Saint Rose (in Albany) or a Wells College in central New York, where their finances got to a point where they ended up closing," Chancellor King Jr. explained. "We’re trying to make sure that all of our campuses are built to thrive for the long term."
Maintaining Forest Properties and Facilities
Matthew Millea, chief of staff to the president of SUNY ESF, clarified the nature of the college's forest properties. He noted that ESF acts as a "steward of more than 25,000 acres of forest properties held in trust." The forest properties division operates with a $1 million annual budget, distinct from satellite campus operations.
These properties include significant Adirondack sites such as the Dubuar Forest (2,800 acres) and the Huntington Wildlife Forest (15,000 acres). While the budget for forest lands is being reduced, there are no current proposals to cut specific properties or programs associated with them.
Recent successes include four successful summer sessions at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station. Additionally, President Mahoney announced that the Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower has received a new roof, with the hiking trail to Newcomb expected to reopen soon. These updates demonstrate ongoing maintenance and commitment to the college's facilities.
The stability plan reflects a careful balance between necessary financial adjustments and a continued dedication to SUNY ESF's unique mission and valuable Adirondack resources. The goal is to ensure the college remains a leading institution for environmental science and forestry for years to come.
