Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community–
As the year draws to a close, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for the achievements of our university community. Together, we have made remarkable progress on our journey of transforming lives and igniting possibilities for our region. Our shared commitment continues to shape our bright future and strengthen our role as a driver of opportunity and innovation for Central New York and beyond.
Our 2023-24 annual report delineates our key accomplishments, particularly those related to SUNY’s four pillars and our priorities: student success; economic development and upward mobility; sustainable community; campus renewal; and institutional recognitions.
In my message last month, I highlighted our many achievements in the arena of student success, made possible by significant investment from SUNY central and other sources, as well as the ingenuity and dedication of our campus community. This month, I’d like to update you on substantial progress we’ve made to ensure campus safety while improving our relationship with the volunteer fire departments that serve our campus. Back in July, I reported that our university was amending its fire response protocols to reduce calls to the firefighters by employing our University Police to serve as first responders. We also instituted mandatory fire safety training for students, as well as unannounced room checks in the residence halls. Thanks to these measures, as well as the work of staff and cooperation of our students, our calls to the city and county fire departments were reduced significantly.
The numbers tell the story: From Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, 2023, outside first responders came to 87 calls, while in 2024, during those same months, only 10 incidents warranted first-responder attention, an 88.5 percent reduction. Due to education and student cooperation, total alarms during those periods saw a 21 percent reduction, down from 87 to 69.
I greatly appreciate how our community stepped up together to address the important issue of fire safety and the impact it was having on our neighbors. The data to date shows that through planning, education and cooperation, we can make a difference. When we all focus on positive change, we wield tremendous power.
We will continue to use our collective power in transformative ways in the months ahead. We will start the new year by unveiling our new strategic plan, which will operationalize our Vision 4040, dedicated to creating a more educated region and boosting economic development. This plan will focus on expanding access, improving retention, and preparing students for meaningful careers. We also will celebrate the reopening of Hewitt Hall, our state-of-the-art center for communications, media and arts studies.
As we seek to attract and retain more students to our community, we are forming a Strategic Enrollment Management task force, which will take a campus-wide approach to ensuring the student experience is optimal, that at-risk students get timely support, and that our transfer processes are seamless. This group will begin convening in the spring semester.
We also will begin the process of strengthening our brand and deepening our presence in our hometown and throughout the state. This multi-year rebranding project will firmly establish SUNY Oswego as a university committed to student success through a dedicated and accomplished faculty and a welcoming and supportive environment. And, of course, we will emphasize our presence on Lake Ontario – a majestic backdrop to many of our educational programs. For students who wish to attend our Syracuse campus, we will more vigorously promote our presence as well as our brand values and high-quality programs.
Finally, this has been a busy time as we wrap up a very successful fall semester, culminating in our December 14 commencement, where about 400 students and their loved ones will celebrate a joyous life-changing milestone. In addition, I invite you to view my internal and external engagements for the month.
As we prepare to embrace 2025, I remain deeply grateful to all of you—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. Your dedication, creativity, and shared commitment to our mission have made this year extraordinary. Together, we are building a university that not only transforms lives but also uplifts our communities.
May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and the warmth of connection. Let us welcome the new year with optimism and determination, ready to achieve even greater heights together.
Remain well,
Peter O. Nwosu
President