Fredonia’s ongoing review of academic offerings has identified 10 undergraduate, four graduate, and seven minor programs for deactivation.

For the second time in three years, programming reductions have been announced at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

On Tuesday afternoon, the institution announced its next steps in its implementation of a multi-year financial sustainability plan, which prioritizes efforts to strengthen enrollment, improve efficiency, manage expenses, and ensure the long-term viability of the university.

The plan, which the university has been following since 2023, is essential for making progress in addressing its $8.1 million structural deficit and continuing to achieve a strong and sustainable future for the campus that reflects student demand. This work has been supported by the State through investment of $5.5 million in new direct state tax support, a nearly 50% increase since 2022-23.

Fredonia’s ongoing review of academic offerings has identified 10 undergraduate, four graduate, and seven minor programs for deactivation. It is important to note that all current and incoming accepted enrolled students will be able to complete their studies, and all subsequent actions will continue to follow the university’s shared governance process.

When the Fall 2026 semester begins in August, approximately 111 students are slated to be enrolled across these programs as majors, and approximately 60 students will be enrolled in associated minors, representing less than 5% of Fredonia’s total student population. Of those students, only 25 are newly deposited and registered students. Again, all students will be able to complete their intended degree.

The changes are intended to better align Fredonia’s curriculum with both current and future student demand. This allows the university to focus resources on programs where student demand is growing.

“Our collective work as a campus to close our deficit is grounded in our responsibility to ensure SUNY Fredonia continues as a strong and sustainable institution for our students and our community,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “By balancing fiscal discipline with strategies to grow our enrollment, we have made significant progress in reducing our deficit by nearly half. These and other actions keep us on a path toward long-term financial stability.”

The 10 impacted undergraduate programs include: Communication – Audio/Radio; Cooperative Engineering; Economics; International Studies; Mathematics; Mathematics (Applied); Mathematics – Physics; Physics; Physics: Adolescence Education; Political Science

The four impacted graduate programs include: Biology; Mathematics 7-12; Music Composition; Music Therapy.

Additionally, the following associated minors will be discontinued: Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Economics, and Political Science.

In December 2023, the university announced the elimination of 13 other program majors.

In a news release, SUNY Fredonia says it is committed to providing the advising, coursework and associated support to students currently enrolled in these programs. Courses will continue to be offered on a schedule that gives students the opportunity to complete their degrees without disruption. Courses in these programs required for students in other majors will continue to be offered.

Previous changes to academic offerings have allowed Fredonia to refocus resources on high-demand areas that are generating positive results. For example, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) graduate program established in 2023 has grown to 65 students. Overall, new graduate programs have contributed to a nearly 50 percent increase in graduate enrollment compared to three years ago.

Similarly, a new undergraduate Music Studies program is creating a pathway for students to gain experience in many aspects of music and related disciplines without the heavy focus on performance that many of our other degree programs contain. This one new program will welcome at least 25 new students this fall.

The university has also invested in recruitment strategies and student support services to improve enrollment and retention. This includes expansion of the SUNY-supported ACE program, which will grow to serve at least 250 students this fall.

“These are examples of how strategic decisions can strengthen our institution by aligning our academic profile with what today’s students are looking for,” Kolison said.

Fredonia has also expanded efforts to support faculty research and sponsored programs as part of strengthening its academic profile. Over the past year, nearly 50 faculty and staff members have worked with the university’s Office of Sponsored Programs on grant applications totaling more than $10 million, resulting in approximately $5.1 million in new and renewed grant funding to support academic initiatives, research and student opportunities.

The strategies are part of Fredonia’s broader “Roadmap to Financial Sustainability,” a multi-year effort to address the university’s structural deficit while strengthening enrollment, improving efficiency and managing expenses. Fredonia has also enacted measures to reduce costs and improve efficiency, including redesigning technology systems and exploring shared services opportunities with other SUNY institutions.