For Immediate Release

September 1, 2026

America’s largest higher education union says $43.5 million raised by the college would allow the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to address its structural deficit, expand programs, rehire faculty and plan for future

Over 9,000 donors contributed, underscoring the community's support for ESF

United University Professions President Fred Kowal is heartened by news that a year-long fundraising effort for SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry brought in a record $43.5 million—dollars donated by alumni, students’ families, private foundations, corporate supporters and ESF boosters who understand the importance of the cash-strapped campus and want to see it thrive.

Over the last year and a half, UUP members and ESF students have worked to spotlight ESF’s untenable fiscal situation and push for more state funding for the college. Despite significant SUNY state funding increases over the last four years, thanks to Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature, SUNY Central Administration — which decides how much state funding each campus gets—has not sent adequate aid to ESF.

“It is clear that students, faculty, professional staff and community groups have effectively proven that ESF deserves the resources it needs to grow at a time when the federal government is abandoning our nation’s commitment to our environment,” said Kowal. “It was this public campaign that clearly drove donors to step up at this crucial time in ESF’s history.”

More than $24.3 million in donations—raised by the ESF College Foundation—is earmarked for academic programs and research. Another $15.8 million is set aside for scholarships and $1.5 million will be used for facilities and to “enhance” student experiences, according to ESF.

The college’s record-breaking fundraising campaign should enable ESF to address its structural multimillion-dollar deficit, refill academic and professional staff lines, grow programs and look forward to a bright future.

“Simply based on how much the college was able to raise in its funding drive, it’s obvious that ESF alumni, parents and the Central New York community see tremendous value in this unique campus, which has become a pipeline for green jobs and a hub for groundbreaking research aimed at solving some of the world’s most challenging environmental issues,” said Kowal.

Since ESF’s five-year stability plan was put in place last year, the college has cut funding and reduced staff through a voluntary retirement incentive program that 36 employees chose to take. If fully implemented, the stability plan would result in more funding cuts, course reductions and potentially more staff and faculty reductions.

Kowal questioned the need for such a severe stability plan now that the college’s financial outlook has changed significantly.

“Given this windfall, it makes sense for ESF to revisit its stringent stability plan and begin planning for the future from a position of financial strength,” Kowal said. “Let’s make sure that we take this opportunity to make strategic investments that strengthen ESF today while ensuring its long-term financial stability.”