Campus Conversations

By Grace Collins '22, February 7, 2024

Enrollment and finance updates kick off Spring 2024 semester.

President La Jerne Terry Cornish spoke to students, faculty, and staff at the All-College Gathering. (Photo by Alexis Liberatore-Herrick)

Members of the Ithaca College community convened in Emerson Suites recently to hear updates from President La Jerne Terry Cornish and other college leaders at the spring All-College Gathering.

President Cornish opened the session, sharing her gratitude for everyone in attendance. She recognized the newest senior leaders to join the IC staff, including Omar Stoute ’18, director for staff equity, inclusion, and belonging; Paula Younger, executive director of government, community, and constituent relations; and Rakin “Rock” Hall, vice president for enrollment management.

Next, Melanie Stein, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, took to the stage to share an overview of academic updates from across campus. With the 2023-24 academic year projected to be the lowest enrollment year IC will see as the college rebounds from a pandemic-related enrollment decrease, she spoke to the student:faculty ratio and new faculty hiring.

Stein noted that 26 full-time continuing faculty roles were approved for the 2024-25 academic year, with half of the positions successfully filled to date.

“We’ve been really carefully watching the size of our faculty and making sure it’s aligned with the size of our student body,” Stein said. “I don’t have enough time to tell you all the wonderful qualities of our new faculty members, but we look forward to welcoming these new colleagues in the fall.”

“I am grateful to be a part of this community, working together with a common mission to prepare our students to be thoughtful citizens, who will work in their many diverse chosen fields to make this world a better place. That's where I get a lot of my sustenance.”

Provost Melanie Stein

“It's a tough time in the world right now, in so many ways, and sometimes it's hard to keep up your optimism,” she concluded. “But I am grateful to be a part of this community, working together with a common mission to prepare our students to be thoughtful citizens, who will work in their many diverse chosen fields to make this world a better place. That's where I get a lot of my sustenance.”

Tim Downs, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, was next to address the crowd, sharing details on the financial status of the college. Tuition dollars drive a significant portion of revenue, and with enrollment at its lowest, the college has budgeted for a deficit of $12.5 million in fiscal year 2024.

Downs presented financial models showing that, according to expected enrollment trends, the deficit will shrink throughout the coming years, eventually reaching a net surplus of $1.5 million in fiscal year 2028.

Tim Downs, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, shared news about enrollment trends helping the college move towards a budget surplus by fiscal year 2028.

(Photo by Alexis Liberatore-Herrick)

“As we move past the enrollment drop that we've had, we’re now making sure we have our resources prioritized into the right areas,” he said. “As we work ahead, we’re now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The floor was then opened to students, faculty, and staff to ask questions. Ranging from establishing endowed faculty positions to getting student wellness days on the academic calendar, members of the President’s Cabinet answered questions directed towards their area of work.

In response to a question about the likelihood that the enrollment landscape will meet the projections, Shana Gore, interim vice president for enrollment and student success, provided an update on enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester.

“I am excited about our future. This is an amazing place filled with opportunity, as we have our students unlock the potential and the power of an Ithaca College education.”

President La Jerne Terry Cornish

“Enrollment starts with applications, and application numbers are trending up so we’re in a very good position,” she said. “We’re trending between 6-7% ahead of where we were at this time last year, which is very encouraging at this point.”

Gore cited the Office of Admission doubling off-campus engagement events, including high school visits, college fairs, and receptions, as one intentional change made to increase application numbers.

President Cornish closed out the event, sharing updates about her own engagement activities and noting that she was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the national Council of Independent Colleges, as well as the Board of Trustees of New York State’s Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

“I am excited about our future,” Cornish said. “This is an amazing place filled with opportunity, as we have our students unlock the potential and the power of an Ithaca College education.”