Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud addressed the University Senate on March 20, providing updates on the institution's budget and its response to recent federal policy changes. Highlighting a balanced budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Syverud reassured stakeholders that Syracuse is on track to propose another balanced budget for FY26.

"We ran a balanced budget in FY24, which ended nine months ago. We are running a balanced budget in FY25, which will end in three months," he stated. The chancellor emphasized that despite challenges posed by recent federal government actions, Syracuse University remains financially stable due to long-term planning and less reliance on federal grants compared to other universities.

Syverud remarked on the impact of new policies from the Department of Education affecting higher education institutions across the nation. "What I don’t feel blessed to be in is 60 days into this raft of changes coming in policies from the federal government," he said. He noted investigations related to antisemitism and racism at several universities but confirmed that Syracuse is not among them.

Regarding recent guidance from the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, Syverud mentioned a broad interpretation prohibiting consideration of race as discrimination under Title XI. "We strongly believe none of our university programs discriminate against any group," he affirmed. The university is consulting with faculty, staff, and students through Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez to develop an appropriate response strategy.

Looking ahead, Syverud anticipates further developments from Washington over the next 40 days and expressed gratitude towards those assisting with these challenges: "I’m very grateful to a really wide range of people with a wide range of views who’ve been helping us in the last two months."

The next update on these matters will be presented at the April 19 Senate meeting.