SUNY Sullivan Cuts Staff, Expands Free College Program; What It Means for Students, Employees and The Community

SUNY Sullivan is in the process of carrying out staff reductions as part of a financial restructuring plan, a move officials describe as a “reduction in force” guided by union agreements.

College leaders say the changes are aimed at stabilizing the school’s finances while maintaining academic programs and continuing to grow enrollment.

“It’s been a challenging week, and anytime there’s a reduction in force… it’s a difficult and painful decision,” said SUNY Sullivan President Dr. David Potash. “But the goal is to chart a path for long-term fiscal sustainability so that SUNY Sullivan can support and educate students… for decades to come.”

Potash said the financial pressures facing SUNY Sullivan are not unique, particularly among small rural community colleges that rely heavily on government support and have limited ability to generate revenue through tuition.

“Costs go up and revenue does not keep pace,” he said, noting that about 86% of the college’s budget goes toward personnel and benefits.

Despite the layoffs, Potash emphasized that students should not see changes in academic offerings or classroom experience.

“There are no changes in our academic programs… no decrease in the number of classes offered,” he said. “We do not want any of this to have any impact… on our students.”

At the same time, SUNY Sullivan is rolling out a major new initiative aimed at making college more accessible—particularly for adult learners.

Through New York State’s SUNY Reconnect program, eligible residents ages 25 to 55 who do not already have a college degree can attend SUNY Sullivan tuition-free, with the cost of fees, books, and supplies also covered.

“Cost is a massive factor,” Potash said. “Programs like SUNY Reconnect… make college more readily available to more people.”

The program focuses on high-demand fields such as nursing, computer information systems, construction technology, and medical assisting, aligning education with workforce needs.

Officials say the initiative is already helping drive increased interest and enrollment, reversing trends seen before and during the pandemic.

Potash said the financial changes and expanded access are happening at the same time—but serve the same long-term goal.

“We’re actually looking at ways of trying to improve the student experience,” he said.

SUNY Sullivan is also offering additional support for adult learners, including advisors who help students navigate returning to school while balancing jobs and family responsibilities.

“These are parents, these are folks who’ve had all sorts of interesting lives,” Potash said. “We’re fully committed to making sure they get their degree.”

While layoffs mark a difficult moment for the college, leadership says the combination of financial restructuring and expanded educational access is meant to position SUNY Sullivan for the future.

“SUNY Reconnect is a game changer,” Potash said in a statement, “opening doors and opportunities.”