Dear SUNY Potsdam Alumni,
Greetings from campus, where the crisp air and changing leaves remind us that another exciting academic year is in full swing! As we dive into another academic year, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates. From stabilized enrollment figures to increased student engagement, we have a lot to be proud of, thanks in large part to the dedication of our community, both on and off campus.
Enrollment Update
I'm excited to share some great news about our enrollment figures this year:
- As of September 10, overall enrollment stands at 2,567 students, up from 2,515 at this time last year. This is a 2% increase over last year and exceeds our internal goals, as well.
- Undergraduate enrollment is currently 1,840 (compared to 1,972 last year).
- Graduate enrollment is currently 727 (compared to 543 last year).
- This year, we faced significant challenges due to the widespread issues in the rollout of the new federal financial aid system, which affected students (and enrollment) nationwide. Despite these obstacles, our admissions team, staff/faculty, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure SUNY Potsdam remained a strong choice for students. This improvement is truly a testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone involved.
- I want to give a special shout-out to all the alumni volunteers who took time to reach out to prospective students. Your efforts have a real impact on the future of SUNY Potsdam and our students, and we can't thank you enough for your continued support.
Financial Stability Update
While there is no denying the tough and challenging decisions that have had to be made on our campus, I'm proud to report that our efforts to stabilize our financial outlook are paying off. While much work lies ahead, we have made significant impact on reducing the structural budget deficit that was announced last year, and are ahead of schedule on our plan to completely close the deficit. We are working daily to ensure that SUNY Potsdam has a bright future for another 200+ years. If anyone would like to reach out to me directly with any questions, please feel free to do so.
Student Involvement
Student life on campus is as vibrant as ever, with students taking full advantage of everything SUNY Potsdam has to offer. From clubs and organizations to community service initiatives, our students have so many opportunities to get involved, and are in our community making a difference. We've heard concerns about Greek life in particular, and while there is no denying that there are long-term challenges, in large part due to changing student interests that are happening nationwide, we are committed to ensuring a robust offering of student options now and in the future. If you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be more than happy to have a conversation.
Reunion Update
I'm thrilled to remind you that our annual Reunion Weekend will again be the same timeframe as always, falling specifically on the dates July 10 - 13, 2025 for next year. Please mark your calendars. We've fielded many questions and concerns about Clarkson University changing their Reunion date. While we remain in contact with our colleagues there, the decision to change their date was solely their own, and they seem committed to continuing their new timeframe next year. Should they decide in the future to return to hosting their Reunion with us again, we would collaborate with them, as always. In the meantime, we look forward to hosting our Reunion during its traditional timeframe next year and into the foreseeable future thereafter. We can't wait to welcome you back to campus again next summer!
Thank you for your continued dedication to SUNY Potsdam. Whether it's through volunteering, attending events, or staying engaged with our community, your support makes all the difference.
With gratitude,
David Davin
Vice President for College Advancement
SUNY Potsdam