Daniel S. Blachaniec

The University Council meeting addressed the presidential search, noting positive market feedback and the partnership with WittKiefer search firm, with input gathered from twelve listening sessions. The President's Report introduced new SUNY Western Campus legal counsel, Daniel Altieri, and established a protocol for legal advice attendance at future meetings per SUNY General Counsel's implementation. The Budget Committee reviewed the Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP), confirming that progress on reducing the $16.2 million structural deficit toward the FY 27/28 goal remains on track, projecting a reduction to approximately $10 million for FY 2025-2026, while noting the continued need to focus on personnel expenses. The Student Life Committee covered organizational structure updates for the Dean of Students, statistics from Weigel Health and Wellness, and reported on the success of various Athletics programs, including new coaching appointments.

The Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting covered updates from Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management. Academic Affairs reported a $16.2 million deficit for FY 2024-2025 and outlined priorities for 2025-2026, including restructuring academic units, reviewing programs to eliminate duplication, expanding online offerings, and ensuring applied learning experiences for all students. Enrollment Management presented strong Fall 2025 application numbers, marking the largest freshman class among SUNY comprehensive colleges, with retention and persistence rates at their highest levels since 2017-2018. Key initiatives discussed included the Roar to Success program, the ACE program, EAB Financial Aid Optimization yielding $630K in net tuition revenue, and the launch of the Navigate360 Student Success Platform.

The meeting included a discussion regarding the upcoming 153rd Commencement, the Bengala event, and student award recipients. Updates were provided on the Day of Service, Open House, and the addition of Greek letter organizations to Buffalo State University. The council also discussed SUNY funding for mental health, food insecurity, and accessibility services. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding University Council members volunteering for Student Conduct Hearings and an executive session regarding pending litigation.

The meeting included a chair's report acknowledging the stepping down of a council member and his contributions. The President's report highlighted a voter engagement initiative, the reopening of a campus voting site, and a faculty and staff scholarship event. Committee reports included updates on student life, a change to the student conduct policy procedure, and discussions around disciplinary matters. Announcements covered Thanksgiving break, upcoming holiday activities, and a Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Conference. The council also discussed campus safety, emergency management, and fire safety, including issues with the fire alarm communication system.

The meeting addressed several key areas including recruitment for Fall 2025, Middle States accreditation, and collaborative conversations on campus climate and workplace ethics. There was a discussion of a tabletop exercise on Law Enforcement Intervention and the monitoring of executive orders. The council also discussed a call campaign to encourage unregistered students to enroll, and initiatives to improve student retention and increase visibility in the community. The Budget Committee discussed annualized savings from the hiring freeze, an enrollment plan for 2025-2028, and the Financial Sustainability Plan. The Governmental Relations Committee discussed state and federal advocacy, the Dart St property, and the SUNY budget request. The Strategic Initiatives Committee reviewed Academic Affairs' priorities, restructuring of academic departments, and an Enrollment Management update.