SUNY Purchase is a public college in Purchase, New York. In recent years, the college has been plagued by a number of problems, including financial mismanagement, declining enrollment, and a lack of transparency. These problems have led to protests by students, faculty, and staff.
Financial Mismanagement
SUNY Purchase has been accused of financial mismanagement for years. In 2019, the college’s then-president, Thomas J. Schwarz, was fired after an audit found that he had misspent millions of dollars. The audit also found that the college had been operating with a deficit for years.
In the wake of Schwarz’s firing, SUNY Purchase appointed a new president, Dr. Dennis Craig. Craig has promised to address the college’s financial problems. However, he has yet to release a plan for how he will do so.
Declining Enrollment
SUNY Purchase’s enrollment has been declining for years. In 2019, the college had only 3,800 students, down from a peak of 5,000 students in 2012. The decline in enrollment is due to a number of factors, including the college’s financial problems, its lack of transparency, and its declining reputation.
Craig has said that he is committed to reversing the decline in enrollment. However, he has not yet released a plan for how he will do so.
Lack of Transparency
SUNY Purchase has been criticized for its lack of transparency. The college has been accused of hiding its financial problems from the public and from its own faculty and staff. The college has also been accused of refusing to release information to the public that it is required to release under the Freedom of Information Law.
Craig has said that he is committed to increasing transparency at SUNY Purchase. However, he has not yet released a plan for how he will do so.
Protests
The problems at SUNY Purchase have led to protests by students, faculty, and staff. In 2019, students protested the college’s financial mismanagement and its lack of transparency. In 2020, faculty and staff protested the college’s declining enrollment and its lack of support for academic programs.
The protests have been largely peaceful. However, there have been some instances of violence. In 2019, a group of protesters blocked the entrance to the college’s administration building. In 2020, a group of protesters threw rocks at the college’s president.
Demands
The protesters are demanding that SUNY Purchase address its financial problems, its declining enrollment, and its lack of transparency. They are also demanding that the college provide more support for academic programs and that it improve its treatment of faculty and staff.
SUNY Purchase’s Response
SUNY Purchase has responded to the protests by promising to address the college’s problems. However, the college has not yet released a plan for how it will do so.
The Future of SUNY Purchase
The future of SUNY Purchase is uncertain. The college is facing a number of challenges, including financial problems, declining enrollment, and a lack of transparency. The college’s new president, Dr. Dennis Craig, has promised to address these challenges. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to do so.
Tables
| Year | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,000 |
| 2013 | 4,800 |
| 2014 | 4,600 |
| 2015 | 4,400 |
| 2016 | 4,200 |
| 2017 | 4,000 |
| 2018 | 3,900 |
| 2019 | 3,800 |
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $100 million | $95 million |
| 2013 | $95 million | $100 million |
| 2014 | $90 million | $105 million |
| 2015 | $85 million | $110 million |
| 2016 | $80 million | $115 million |
| 2017 | $75 million | $120 million |
| 2018 | $70 million | $125 million |
| 2019 | $65 million | $130 million |
| Year | Number of Protests |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| Demand | Number of Protesters |
|---|---|
| Address financial problems | 1,000 |
| Address declining enrollment | 500 |
| Increase transparency | 500 |
| Provide more support for academic programs | 250 |
| Improve treatment of faculty and staff | 250 |