OBSERVER Photo State University of New York Chancellor John King, in center in suit, is pictured with students at Fredonia. Fourth from the right is SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison.

Prince Aziz Hunt is not much different from previous generations of downstate students who have come to the State University of New York at Fredonia for a higher education. As a chemistry major, the senior said a scholarship he earned was a factor in choosing the Western New York school that is renowned across the system for its music and educational programs.

His other reason had everything to do with location. “I wanted to get as far away as possible from the Bronx so I came here,” he told SUNY Chancellor John King who was making the rounds earlier this week.

King, who was named to the position in December, is getting to know all 64 campuses across the state. On Monday, his stops included the two county campuses.

What he saw in his first visit to Fredonia was impressive. A newly built science center that connects to a remodeled Houghton Hall. Later, he visited both Mason Hall and Rockefeller Arts Center hearing both the sweet music that came from student voices and an orchestra practice before connecting with another group of students who were awaiting his arrival in front of the “FRED” sign at the Williams Center.

His more than two-hour tour included success stories that led to an interaction with Courtney Wigdahl-Perry, associate professor in the geology and environmental sciences department, who been involved in studying algae and water quality of Chautauqua Lake. Later, he spoke with Matt Lanning, another department assistant professor, who is being assisted by student Kasey Crandall of Stockton in working with the village of Fredonia regarding digital mapping of its water connections.

King praised those local relationships by the staff while asking each student he greeted about why they chose SUNY and what their plans are for the future. Throughout each of his visits, the chancellor was upbeat and optimistic about the education and opportunities that are taking place.

Joined by university President Stephen Kolison, King appeared to be in his element. Communication and building relationships appear to be among his strong points.

How to fix what ails SUNY, however, is a whole other matter. Only one week earlier, concerns over a lack of funding at 19 fiscally stressed campuses — including Buffalo State and Fredonia — were a hot topic in Albany.

United University Professions President Fredrick E. Kowal touched on nearly $160 million in operating deficits across those campuses while aiming to ensure that the system remains an affordable, accessible pathway to higher education for all state students. “Albany needs to act immediately to fill the gaping holes in higher education and healthcare funding,” Kowal said late last month. “Governor (Kathy) Hochul stated a strong vision for SUNY last year, and though there is more support for SUNY in this year’s executive budget, it is not enough to overcome years of austerity under the previous administration.”

King, during his area stop, said those initiatives are in the works. He said the SUNY board of trustees is advocating for an additional $120 million in additional support through the state budget process with another $97 million coming from a potential tuition increase.

“We’re going to keep it affordable,” he said. “but a modest tuition increase will be capped at 3% that will help provide a reliable and predictable funding stream for our campuses.”

Downsizing – or budget reductions – do not seem to be on the table at this time. As King calls for more resources to help struggling campuses that are facing major enrollment declines such as Fredonia, few attempts are being made to right-size staffing or administration.

To our north, former Erie County Community College President David Balkin was brought in by officials in February 2022 to address financial difficulties. Those efforts included layoffs of 150 positions while discontinuing a number of low-performing programs at ECC’s South Campus, according to The Buffalo News.

Those efforts did not sit well with longtime employees at the college, which has seen enrollment shrink by nearly half to 7,000. Later, allegations against Balkin by staff members surfaced in December that led to his resignation after only 10 months at the helm.

Since then, new leadership at ECC is revisiting those reductions, which hurt staff morale but put the college on a more realistic path in terms of sustainability. That model relies heavily on expenses while fingers are crossed for new revenues.

At the moment, King remains patient. “We are committed to the 64 communities where we have campuses, but the programs, the offerings across those campuses have to continue to evolve, to respond to regional economic needs and student interest,” he said. “You see that here at Fredonia as they try to create programs … that match where we have a lot of demand in our economy.”

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.