UAlbany Budget Updates

Message from President Philip on Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Dear University Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends:

Following a reduction of more than $35 million in state-tax support, I announced last fall that, pending further consultation, our campus-wide budget would include the suspension of admissions to degree programs in five academic areas. The campus dialogue over the past six months has been informative. I have heard from all of the University’s core constituencies including the University Senate, and from many outside observers. A diversity of views, ideas, and suggestions have been expressed, all of which I have taken into careful consideration. Throughout this process, the depth of professionalism, pride, and commitment to our University has been truly impressive.

Taking this commentary into account, I have asked the Provost to develop a plan to continue undergraduate minors in Theatre, French, and Russian, and to continue instruction of the Italian language. Retaining these offerings will require us to search for savings elsewhere. I regret we cannot afford to sustain all of our degree programs in these areas. As we move forward in developing the implementation plan, we remain committed to ensuring that students enrolled in a degree program from one of the affected program areas will be afforded the opportunity to complete their degrees in the normal time frame. In addition, as we attempt to restructure these programs and reallocate resources, every effort will be made to reduce the impact on the University’s faculty and staff. We will move ahead with formal requests to SUNY System Administration to deactivate the undergraduate majors in Theatre, French, Russian, Italian, and the Classics, and the graduate programs in Russian, French and Classics.

Let me also take this opportunity to report that I am continuing to implement reductions outside of Academic Affairs and have issued an RFP for an independent consultant to provide recommendations for further efficiencies to the University’s administrative structure and services. A listing of the reductions taken to date is posted on the UAlbany budget update website.

These are challenging times for the University at Albany and the State University of New York. As you have heard, the Executive Budget calls for another substantial reduction to SUNY’s state operating campuses (i.e., $131.5 million). If enacted, these cuts could reduce state support to our University by an additional $10.5 million.

Please be assured we continue to work with the Chancellor to pursue fiscal and regulatory relief. I will keep you apprised of future developments. For further information and updates, you can visit www.albany.edu/budget.

Thank you, once again, for your continued commitment to the University at Albany.

Sincerely yours,

George M. Philip
President