Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud addressed the University Senate, providing updates on various topics, including university climate and shared governance. He touched on the issue of health care benefits, acknowledging the challenges faced by employees with their third-party administrator, Excellus.

Syverud explained, "Excellus has a huge fraction of the third-party administrative market in upstate New York. The other choices aren’t numerous." He noted that changes in insurance pricing were influenced by COVID-19 and have led to difficulties with providers.

The chancellor also emphasized the importance of the Employee Benefits Advisory Council in addressing these issues early. "One reason for this council is because how this worked in the past was kind of this black box," he said.

Despite these challenges, Syverud reported positive news regarding the university's financial status and enrollment figures. The institution ended FY24 with a small surplus and continues to see growth in its endowment. "We finished FY24...with a small surplus of $1.5 million on a budget of more than $1.7 billion," he stated.

He also highlighted record undergraduate applications and successful onboarding of new faculty members. "We received this past year just under 45,000 undergraduate applications, the most in our history," Syverud mentioned.

The university has opened new facilities both on campus and off-site, including two residence halls and a new D.C. center. Syverud remarked on these developments: "We last night formally opened our new D.C. center... It has outstanding classroom space and event space for the whole university."

In addition to these updates, Syverud warned about upcoming challenges facing higher education institutions, citing financial difficulties at peer institutions like American University and Penn State University.

"My point of all this is it’s stressful," he cautioned while expressing confidence in Syracuse University's preparedness to face these issues.

Syverud concluded by reaffirming his commitment to shared governance at Syracuse University amid increasing external pressures: "I’m seeing attacks on traditions of shared governance continue... I haven’t lost faith in it here."

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