We face a world where universities compete fiercely for resources and talent. This competition is increasingly global in nature, and demographic trends and digital innovation will continue to shape the characteristics of our student population, the way we deliver education and the subjects we teach.  Successful universities will be distinguished by their accessibility, their ability to provide exceptional opportunity and their strength in delivering extraordinary impact.

The financial stability of the University at Buffalo has been tested over the past four years. Yet, despite a substantial reduction of state taxpayer support, the university has preserved strength in many ways demonstrating leadership, management skill, a broad-based effort from all faculty and staff to make tough, smart decisions and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

With Andrew Cuomo’s election as Governor, there is a renewed focus on the role of the public research university and a realization in state government that it is not good policy to further reduce state funding for these institutions.  These new policies are encouraging at a time when this state faces severe economic challenges and the business model for higher education is under assault from new market forces.

In his State of the University address, President Tripathi observed that UB has passed through the worst of the financial crisis.  We now have a moment to reflect upon the future of our university with a clear understanding of the challenges we face and the support we have received from New York State government with the passage of the NYSUNY 2020 legislation. This is our opportunity and how we use this moment will shape the direction we take for years to come.

The NYSUNY 2020 program gives the university a window where $100 million in new recurring investments can be made in faculty strength and in other forms of support that lay a foundation for our future over the next five years.  It also provides a pathway for the university to move our medical school next to its partners in downtown Buffalo.  The makings of a comprehensive Medical Center rivaling the nation’s best have been put in place with this initiative.

However, we should recognize that while the NYSUNY 2020 program is an important development, UB must use this tool and our strengths to launch a longer and more lasting transformation. We should continue and expand ways to further distinguish our educational and research offerings from our competitors.

We have the opportunity to leverage the NYSUNY 2020 investment by attracting much larger shares of philanthropic support and research funding from a wider variety of sources in greater quantities.  If we are to be successful, we should look inside the university, examine carefully and critically what we do and how we use our funds – both base and new funds – and how we adapt to our competitive and changing circumstances.

When we have finished, there should emerge a new culture that reflects our core values, a greater desire to perform and to attract funds that enable greater performance and impact for years to come.