May 19, 2026
Academic Program Review and Financial Sustainability Updates
SUNY Fredonia is continuing the implementation of its multi-year financial sustainability plan, which focuses on strengthening enrollment, improving efficiency, and managing expenses to support the university’s long-term future.
The plan, which has guided university decision-making since 2023, is essential to address Fredonia’s structural deficit and ensuring long-term institutional stability.
As part of this effort, an ongoing review of academic offerings using metrics developed through consultation among university administration and shared governance has identified ten undergraduate programs and four graduate programs for deactivation.
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 current and future student demand while allowing the university to focus resources on areas where enrollment and interest are growing.
Programs Identified for Deactivation
Undergraduate Programs
- Communication – Audio Production
- Cooperative Engineering
- Economics
- International Studies
- Mathematics
- Mathematics (Applied)
- Mathematics - Physics
- Physics
- Physics: Adolescence Education
- Political Science
Graduate Programs
- Biology
- MSED Mathematics*
- Music Composition
- Music Therapy
*Please note: The undergraduate Mathematics Adolescence Education, grades 7-12 continues to enroll and graduate students. This program leads to initial certification as a math teacher.
Associated Minors
- Applied Mathematics
- Data Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Economics
- Political Science
Support for Current Students
SUNY Fredonia is committed to supporting students currently enrolled in affected programs. Students will continue to receive the advising, coursework, and academic support needed to complete their degrees. Courses will continue to be offered on a schedule designed to allow students to complete degree requirements without disruption.
Courses within affected programs that are required for students in other majors will continue to be offered as needed to support timely graduation.
Additional information regarding advising, timelines, and teach-out planning will be shared directly with students as plans are finalized. If you have academic questions, you can reach out to the Advising office at 716-673-3188 or advising@fredonia.edu.
Why These Changes Are Being Made
The academic program review is part of Fredonia’s broader “Roadmap to Financial Sustainability,” a multi-year effort focused on:
- Strengthening enrollment
- Improving operational efficiency
- Managing expenses responsibly
- Aligning academic offerings with student demand
- Investing in areas of growth and opportunity
The university continues to pursue strategies designed to improve long-term enrollment trends and strengthen the student experience.
“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,” President Dr. Stephen H. Kolison Jr. said. “By balancing fiscal discipline with strategies to grow our enrollment, we have made significant progress in reducing our deficit by nearly half. Given today’s higher education landscape and our fiscal realities, we cannot afford to do everything. Hence, we have to be strategic about where to direct our efforts and resources regarding our academic array. These and other actions keep us on a path toward long-term financial stability and continued relevance.”
Investments in Academic Growth and Student Success
Previous changes to Fredonia’s academic offerings have allowed the university to focus resources on programs where student demand is growing.
For example, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program established in 2023 has grown to 65 students, and the program graduated its first students this past spring semester. Overall, new graduate programs have contributed to nearly a 50 percent increase in graduate enrollment compared to three years ago.
A new undergraduate Music Studies program is also creating additional pathways for students interested in music and related disciplines without the heavy emphasis on performance found in some traditional music degree programs. The program is expected to welcome at least 25 students this fall.
Fredonia has also expanded recruitment strategies and student support initiatives to improve enrollment and retention. This includes growth of the SUNY-supported ACE program, which will serve at least 250 students this fall.
“These are examples of how strategic decisions can strengthen our institution by aligning our academic array with what today’s students are looking for,” Dr. Kolison said.
Supporting Research and Sponsored Programs
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. Those efforts have resulted in approximately $5.1 million in new and renewed grant funding supporting academic initiatives, research and student opportunities.
Additional Financial Sustainability Efforts
In addition to academic program review, Fredonia has implemented several measures to improve efficiency and strengthen long-term financial stability.
These efforts include:
- Redesigning technology systems and services
- Exploring shared services opportunities with other SUNY institutions
- Expanding student support and retention initiatives
- Managing expenses across university operations
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.