UPDATED: Jan. 30, 2019 at 2:54 p.m.

SUNY-ESF’s Academic Governance discussed the school’s ongoing budget deficit and initiatives during its first meeting of the year Tuesday at the Gateway Center.

SUNY-ESF’s operating deficit for 2019 is projected to be about $4.3 million dollars, according to an internal financial report. The college is considering applying for funds through New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “Green New Deal” initiative presented in the governor’s 2019 executive budget, said Joseph Rufo, chief financial officer and vice president for administration, at the meeting.

After some rounds of advocacy, SUNY-ESF was mentioned in the “Green New Deal” segment of Cuomo’s “State of the State” speech on Jan. 15, said David Amberg, SUNY-ESF’s interim president.

Amberg said Cuomo’s shout-out created a “golden opportunity” for SUNY-ESF to seek additional state funding through the local Regional Economic Development Council. REDC provides funding for projects relating to the “cultural and economic viability” of the state, according to the state’s website.

“It is of vital importance (for SUNY-ESF to develop) ways we can bring in non-tuition and non-traditional state-based aid to help us get over the hump in terms of our state budget,” Rufo said.

SUNY-ESF’s deficit is the result of the decreased revenue rather than increased costs, Rufo added.

During the past 20 years, labor and utility costs have remained at similar levels and fees paid to SU have decreased, Rufo said. State support was nearly slashed in half while tuition revenue has nearly doubled, Rufo said.

Other business

The process of appointing an interim provost is still ongoing. Five out of nine applicants were selected for interviews. In addition to committee interviews, each candidate will make a video about themselves and campus-wide feedback will be gathered.

Plans are being made to improve faculty efficiency by reducing paperwork and decreasing “administrative burden.” The college will form a team to research administrative structures that support faculty more and determine how the administration can assume more responsibility for paperwork.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, Joseph Rufo’s position was misstated. He is the chief financial officer and vice president for administration of SUNY-ESF’s Academic Governance. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on January 29, 2019 at 10:52 pm

Contact Jaehun: jkim238@syr.edu