State University of New York at Fredonia President Stephen Kolison is keeping an eye on the bottom line.

During a recent College Council meeting, he touched on campus finances. He said he is trying to ensure more state funding in the 2025-26 budget.

“If we can have our negotiated raises covered it would go a long way toward covering our deficit,” he said.

SUNY’s push to issue “experience credits” for time in workplaces is part of a movement to ease transfers, and should benefit SUNY Fredonia, he added.

Kolison said that traditionally, public institutions like SUNY Fredonia depend on the state for support. But the reality is, “there are so many other pressures on the state budget that it’s very difficult today to expect that you get all your needs covered. It’s just a reality. All (SUNY) presidents are being told, ‘you need to diversify your source of finances.”

Nevertheless, he touted the addition of about $1.254 million to SUNY Fredonia’s 2024-25 budget by the state. The money will be released sometime in spring.

Kolison mentioned that there are three candidates for the university’s vacant vice president of finance and administration position. “Hopefully, by the time we get back from the holidays, I will be ready to announce” a hire, he said.

Kolison stated that “Part of our role in this region (is) to help in any way we can to provide more access to educational opportunities for all students to attain their dream of a college education.”