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November 9, 2009

College Foundation raising money to help with deficit

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH — Asking for money as a historic recession depletes funds in record numbers might seem a lofty goal.

But that's what Plattsburgh State's Anne Hansen is charged with doing. And while charities across the country are coming up short, the vice president for institutional advancement is meeting her goals.

But the bar has been raised, as Plattsburgh State faces a $3.8 million deficit that will result in layoffs, program cuts and fee increases, after the university has already instituted travel restrictions, increased class sizes and eliminated some vacant positions.

"This year will be interesting," said Hansen.

MAJOR DRIVE
Her primary charge is building the College Foundation endowment, with her office focused on charitable-gift revenue.

"We sometimes get involved with groups on campus that raise revenues through other activities, such as the Plattsburgh Art Museum."

Bright with Promise, probably the most significant campaign under way, is in its fifth of seven years. The goal is to bring in increased revenues for student scholarships, and so far, nearly 10,000 alumni have given to the campaign.

Hansen explained that maintaining scholarships is vital to the college's success.

"In order for SUNY Plattsburgh to continue to recruit a strong class, we have to remain competitive, and part of that is offering scholarship support."

FACULTY/STAFF FUND
Another initiative related to student scholarships started last year after the college announced budget cuts stemming from a $148 million reduction to the State University of New York System.

Faculty Union President Dr. David Curry and retired professor and College Historian Dr. Douglas Skopp approached Hansen, asking how they could help, and the result was a faculty/staff fund.

"The college spends about $1.6 million on student scholarships, and this replaces it dollar for dollar and relieves the burden a little bit so resources can be spent in other ways," Hansen said.

"That fund raised $12,000 specifically in year one, but faculty and staff raised a total of $120,000 for all sorts of different purposes.

"That was a 42-percent increase over the previous year and a really strong message from faculty and staff that they wanted to do what they could to help."

Curry said the fund is a clean way for employees to support Plattsburgh State, as opposed to salary reductions, an idea tossed around in the wake of Gov. David Paterson's plan to take $90 million from SUNY this year.

"The reason the union would not consider a salary reduction is the money would go into a general fund for the state and would not be kept or dedicated for SUNY," Curry said.

"It would not fix the problem for SUNY. We want to be part of the solution, but we want the solution to benefit Plattsburgh State."

The university is deeply appreciative of the efforts of faculty and staff on top of their daily commitment to students, Hansen said.

ALUMNI GIFTS
Plattsburgh State is hoping alumni will be part of the solution, too.

One initiative targeting alumni is a summer-reunion program, and part of that is a year-long campaign for alumni to raise class gifts.

The fall 2010 homecoming program for alumni will be slightly different, with more of an academic focus that, for example, would bring back graduates who majored in education and team them with current education students to build a culture of career networking.

The belief is that engaging alumni and connecting them to the university will boost their financial support for Plattsburgh State.

WORKING HARDER
The previous fiscal year, which ran June 2008 through July 2009, was challenging because the recession resulted in a national drop in charitable giving.

"The environment was tough from a fundraising perspective," Hansen said, "but we actually managed to hit our $2 million goal."

The university upped proposals for major gifts, and the result was 23 compared to 12 the year before.

"We just had to work harder," Hansen said, "and, frankly, I think it is a testament to the commitment of our alumni.

"But I think this year will be more difficult."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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