Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community–
During my recent State of the University Address, I spoke about our responsibility to respond thoughtfully and decisively to the current higher education landscape in ways that strengthen SUNY Oswego for the future, while remaining firmly committed to our academic mission and to our students.
As we look ahead, our path forward must be about more than responding to the financial constraints before us; it must position SUNY Oswego to emerge stronger, more focused, and better prepared to serve the students and communities of the future. Grounded in Vision 4040 and our strategic plan, Transforming Lives, Igniting Possibilities, that path is centered on four key priorities: growing enrollment and retention; managing expenses and improving efficiency; making strategic investments and restructuring where needed; and strengthening advocacy and partnerships.
Today, I am announcing one action as part of that broader strategy: a one-time Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) for full-time faculty who are eligible for retirement.
The program offers eligible faculty who may already be considering retirement or separation from the university an additional financial incentive to do so. For SUNY Oswego, it creates opportunities to reinvest in areas that advance our priorities, aligning our workforce to best meet student needs today and in the future.
Over the past several months, I have discussed this incentive program with faculty leadership, other members of the university community, and stakeholders.
Funded by a one-time investment from the Oswego University Foundation, the VSIP recognizes our faculty’s service and supports the university’s broader efforts to align our resources with our strategic workforce needs and to strengthen our long-term financial sustainability. Eligible faculty who choose to participate and are approved will receive a one-time financial incentive in exchange for voluntary separation from the university.
I recognize that retirement is a deeply personal decision, and I encourage eligible faculty members to carefully consider the program and decide whether it is right for them. Participation is entirely voluntary.
The VSIP website provides information on eligibility requirements, the application process, key deadlines, and answers to frequently asked questions. Faculty members who wish to apply must also schedule a confidential consultation with Human Resources before submitting their application.
The application period opens on September 14 and closes at noon on October 30, 2026.
If you have questions about the program, please contact the Office of Human Resources or visit the VSIP website for additional information.
VSIP is one component of a much broader path forward for SUNY Oswego. That work is already underway across each of our four priorities and directly ties to our strategic plan drivers of grow, connect, and thrive.
First, Grow: Enrollment and Retention. We are strengthening relationships with school districts across our region, expanding transfer pathways, investing in Admissions, broadening opportunities at our Syracuse campus and online, removing barriers to enrollment and student success, and reviewing our academic offerings through the Academic Program Performance Initiative to ensure they remain strong, relevant, and responsive to student interests and workforce demand.
Second, Thrive: Manage Expenses and Improve Efficiency. We are exercising greater discipline in managing vacancies and other expenses, pursuing opportunities such as geothermal energy to reduce utility and long-term operating costs, and aligning our workforce size with the university's needs and resources.
Third, Grow + Thrive: Strategic Investment and Restructuring. Even as we reduce costs, we will continue to invest where there is opportunity for growth and where our students and region need us most — including interdisciplinary and professional studies, the healthcare sector such as nursing, mental health and counseling, student success and retention, and our expanded Syracuse campus — and align our organizational structure and resources with these priorities.
Fourth, Connect: Strengthen Advocacy and Partnerships. We will continue to deepen our engagement with elected officials, alumni, philanthropic partners, businesses, and community organizations to expand opportunity, strengthen institutional support, and advance our mission. Across all four priorities, data, market intelligence, and benchmarking will help us measure progress and adjust our strategies as conditions change.
Taken together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to strengthening SUNY Oswego’s academic and financial future. They require us to pursue growth and investment opportunities while making thoughtful decisions about how we use our resources and position the university for the years ahead.
As we navigate this period of change, we will remain guided by our responsibility to our students, our academic mission, and our university's long-term health.
Remain well,
Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D.
President