[Important Information for Employees] Plattsburgh Next Update

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus Community,

I’ve appreciated the opportunity to visit with many of you over the past
several weeks to share progress on Plattsburgh Next, particularly on
details of our annual spending plan and the priority of enrollment.

>From these conversations, many of you have expressed a desire for more
steady, detailed updates as we grow and serve together. This is a good idea
and this new Plattsburgh Next Update stems from that.

I plan to send this to you monthly. It will feature real time data and
details on where we are with enrollment, the budget, the strategic plan and
other news from campus. I will amplify that with continued in-person visits
where able, with the overarching purpose of this communication being a
baseline from which to talk, listen and adjust.

Thank you for your continued work as we focus on our students and our
ultimate work of higher education at this great university. I am thankful
for each of you and what we do as SUNY Plattsburgh.


*Enrollment*

No matter how we plan for the future, our ultimate destiny will be most
directed by the number of students learning through our campus and in our
classrooms. Recruiting and retaining students at regional public colleges
in the northeast has never been more challenging, but we are adopting
strategies and spending toward that which give us the best opportunity for
success.

As we shared publicly yesterday, SUNY Plattsburgh has realized a record
increase in applications to date for fall 2023 over the last two years,
reflecting strong growth through the SUNY initiative that dropped the fee
to apply. We have never seen this many applications for the following fall
this early. The increase is 114 percent more than this point in either of
the past two years -- 4,968 apps vs. 2,323 and 2,330 the two prior years --
and our trends are slightly above the system as a whole. The power of this
is a high number of early applications provides the opportunity for more
early acceptances and better opportunities to grow enrollment. Admissions
has already begun releasing acceptances, about three weeks ahead of where
we'd normally be.

Much of the $770,000 one-time money invested in us by SUNY for this year is
dedicated to enrollment. *This has been shared before and is also here*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_documents/plattslife/120222-suny-plattsburgh-incremental-funds-listing-10-13-22-sheet-1-3.pdf>.
We have begun to spend this and procure items where process is necessary,
ranging from Vermont-targeted mailings to targeted international
recruitment.

This will be our ongoing focus. As has been expressed to me, we have "four
years of first-year students." We all know many of our students,
post-COVID, and their former high school classmates in the pipeline that
will follow, often require more attention, coaching and services. We must
provide that, and as federal HERFF funds -- also one-time investments --
are used, we will need to look to our own resources to amplify this work.

*Budget*

As we have discussed in recent campus meetings, flat annual appropriations
from the state, no increases in tuition and fewer students lead to a
revenue picture that is challenging. This is not new, as the full state
investment years are decades behind us. And we have made changes, as
outlined in the summary we have taken through numerous conversations. Most
directly have been questions about the near term, and that while we have
$14.3 million in cash on hand, our current spending plan would use much of
that this year. We know that historically we have not spent all that we
allocate as expenses, but it is still a picture we must change.

*There are two key changes from the slides we developed in November*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_documents/plattslife/120222-221111-pn-keys-presentation.pdf>
from
our budget office. First, income related to this fall's higher than
expected enrollment and income adds $732,000 to revenue. We can also
conservatively set aside $2 million in positions we know can't be filled
this year. That figure will likely end up being higher. Other planned
spending can also generate savings. Accordingly, our planned shortfall is
on track to use up about half of reserves and perhaps less.

As to next year's planned permanent cuts outlined in the slides, with
cabinet I have decided to spread these over the next three fiscal years
(2023-24 through 2025-26). We will combine permanent and temporary savings,
both to achieve the $5.2 million number next year and the overall reduction
over that time. The details of these changes for 2023-24 will be identified
during the normal budget development process timeline. This begins now in
partnership with you and ends in April or May.

Two important things to note: First, spreading over time allows us to use
normal attrition and changes to blend our spending and people into the
areas of highest need. Second, as we dig into our plans and compare that to
historic, actual spending, we can more tightly align our plan to our needs.

*Strategic Plan*

Growing and sustaining enrollment is a pillar of our Plattsburgh Next plan.
Strengthening student success, prioritizing equity and inclusion, and
engaging our North Country region are as well. *These are all truly tied
together and we are making progres*s
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_documents/plattslife/120222-plattsburgh-next-middle-states-grid-sheet1.pdf>
.

This week, we received approval from SUNY for strategic faculty lines from
the state appropriation advanced by the legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
These were allocated to support SUNY’s commitment to excellence in
teaching, innovative research and scholarship, and to increase diversity in
our faculty ranks to ensure that SUNY is fully representative of the
students and communities that we serve.

We will begin searches soon for positions in digital media production,
teacher education, special education, social work, human development and
family relations, data analytics / cybersecurity, and global supply chain
management. These are critical growth areas that will allow us to advance
in areas such as a master's degree in social work, something many across
the region have asked for. Academic Affairs is also undertaking a more
comprehensive examination of the marketability of our portfolio looking at
areas of special opportunities to grow.

It has been asked, what does success look like? That is, if we follow
through on Plattsburgh Next what will campus feel like, be like? My answer,
in part, is a place that is vibrant, less stressful and forward-focused.
Nothing in the recent past of higher ed has been easy. As we see Fortune
500 companies dispense with college degree requirements and neighbors talk
about the cost of a diploma not being worth it, we may question our own
worth.

Know this: What we do is needed now more than ever -- an educated society
able to adapt to change, think deeply and move forward collectively. What
we do makes a difference and each one of you -- no matter your role on
campus -- has a part to play in recruiting and retaining our students.

If you have not already, I encourage you to read the Self-Study Report
prepared for our Middle States re-accreditation. *You can link to it here*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_documents/plattslife/middle-states-report-2022.pdf>.
It is essential reading to understand where we have been, where we are, and
where we are going. Their peer-reviewed stamp of approval this summer on
our collective work was deeply gratifying and the result of what each of us
does.

*Other News*

Finally, I want to link to some of the good news on campus. These stories
are regularly produced and shared but not everyone sees them. They are
below for your perusal.

Thank you again. And my best to each of you for a festive, restful holiday
season.

*Historic Increase in Applications*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/suny-fee-waiver-results-in-historic-increase-in-fall-2023-applications-at-suny-plattsburgh.html>
*Memory Cafe Offers Comfort*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/memory-cafes-offer-comfort-for-caregivers-care-receivers.html>
*Rockwell Kent and His Work*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/rockwell-kent-and-the-evolution-of-his-work-subject-of-new-kent-gallery-exhibit.html>
*Concerts at E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/slate-of-concerts-set-to-take-to-the-e-glenn-giltz-auditorium-stage.html>
*Thank-ful Events*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/chartwells-thankful-events-include-food-drive-thanksgiving-dinner.html>
*Guiding Light for Special Education Major*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/brother-with-special-needs-serves-as-guiding-light-for-special-education-major.html>
*Social Justice Teach-In*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/social-justice-teach-in-sessions-shine-light-on-doing-the-right-thing.html>
*Arts and Crafts Show*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/suny-plattsburgh-arts-and-crafts-show-celebrates-50th-anniversary.html>
*High School Students Exploring Our University*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/high-school-students-explore-suny-plattsburgh-programs.html>
*Teacher Education Majors at Work*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/news/news-archive/teacher-shortage-quality-of-instruction-leading-to-education-majors-landing-jobs-before-graduating.html>

Alex Enyedi
President
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