University Status Takes Effect Jan. 23, 2023
Following the approval of Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah Stanley and the SUNY Board of Trustees, SUNY Oneonta will be designated as a university instead of a college beginning Jan. 23, 2023!
In Jan. 2022, the New York State Board of Regents changed its regulations related to the number of graduate-level degrees an institution must offer to qualify as a university. Because we offer a range of registered undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, including at least three master's degrees in the disciplines of agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences or social sciences, we now can be classified as a university.
You may be wondering, "What does this mean and what is changing?" In short, only our name will change. Instead of "State University of New York College at Oneonta", our official name on record will be "State University of New York at Oneonta." Our moniker and branding will still be "SUNY Oneonta," and the type logo used on the web, publications and signage will not change. Next steps include updating all references to our legal name and the use of "college" in official documents, policies, on the website, with partner organizations, etc. Cabinet and colleagues across campus are also planning for updates to the titles of groups, departments, buildings and positions that contain the word "college." Anyone who will need to be involved in these updates will be notified. While the SUNY Oneonta type logo/wordmark will not be changing, we are investigating options to update the college seal. Please stay tuned for information about these changes over the next several months.
This is a significant moment in our history. Designation as a university will strengthen the future of our institution and boost prospects for enrollment, especially among international and graduate students. It showcases our commitment to progress and more accurately reflects the structure and rigor of our distinguished academic offerings. While our mission and commitment to academic excellence and a student-centered teaching and learning environment remain unchanged, this designation sets us up for exciting opportunities like further development of online graduate degrees and creation of new partnerships and continuing education programs to serve our local community and regional workforce.
All students and employees are invited to gather for a reception to commemorate this new designation on the first day of Spring 2023 classes. Please mark your calendar for cake and refreshments on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at 3 p.m. in the International Lounge in Hunt Union. I look forward to seeing you there and celebrating this new chapter for SUNY Oneonta.
Sincerely,
