As we forge ahead through 2020 and this wholly unique semester, I want to reiterate some of the things I have found so special about our University: our sense of camaraderie, our ability to collaborate, our creative spirit, and our incredible resilience in the face of adversity. These are the longstanding traits that have defined our community, and I hope we will all rely on them as we maneuver through the uncharted waters of our academic school year. Together.

On Wednesday, August 12, I sent out an  email communication to all Stony Brook faculty and staff about our University’s short- and long-term budget challenges. These have been heavily compounded by COVID-19, certainly, but they are also the result of many other funding trends and systemic practices that we need to address as efficiently and directly as possible. And we will only be able to do this if we rely on our inspiring reserve of talent with a rich history of providing solutions to complex, contemporary issues. 

I was heartened that so many of you answered the call to weigh in with your questions, concerns, ideas, and feedback on our new Achieving Financial Sustainability  website. In addition, you brought your critical thought and comments to our seven cross-campus online conversations on the subject. In these discussions, we endeavored to answer as many questions as possible in real-time. More questions have been received and will be addressed through individual follow up or in addition to our  FAQ on the website. We will continue to engage closely with the community on this complex issue. 

I am writing today to express my gratitude to the  nearly 1,700 faculty and staff members who participated in our sessions. I also want to encourage you to please continue to share your  questions and ideas through our website and through personal conversations and collaborations across campus. For those of you who were unable to attend these live online conversations, you can access a Zoom recording of one of the sessions below.

The quick, powerful, and thoroughly engaged response to the start of our budget decision-making process has validated my belief in the collective strength of our campus. It has enhanced my confidence that, together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for Stony Brook University.

As with other matters of such urgency and gravity, I will continue to count, and call, on the expertise, institutional knowledge, and diversity of thought and ideas that we clearly have right here on campus. This is how we as a community will navigate these complicated budget issues— united and strong. Stony Brook Strong.

Thank you again. I am so grateful for our community as we continue to work together, learn from one another, and move forward in these challenging but promising times.

Sincerely,