SUFFERN, NY – In a detailed interview with Rockland News, Dr. Lester Rapalo, President of SUNY Rockland Community College, provided insights into the institution’s current financial challenge—culminating in a $3.4 million budget shortfall that accumulated over several years.
According to Dr. Rapalo, the budget deficit at SUNY Rockland is attributed to a combination of declining enrollments—from 9,000 to approximately 4,500 students—as well as outsized administrative expenses, which he emphasized are being addressed. “There were no layoffs…even though enrollment was going down, the college didn’t make any real adjustments or cuts at that particular moment. So when you go to 9000 students to close to 4800 students, and you don’t make any adjustments to the bottom line, you’re going to have to feel the pain. And this is a trend that has happened amongst many institutions across the country.”
The financial challenges were further exacerbated by the pandemic, despite the college receiving funds from the state.
Addressing the Deficit
The budget challenges that SUNY Rockland faces had developed over several years. Efforts to improve operational efficiency include a hiring freeze for non-critical positions and a commitment to – as Dr. Rapalo stated several times during the interview – “the Democratic process” – to find the proper mix of solutions to implement.
On Monday February 26th, the administration held a meeting to discuss plans to furlough up to 200 faculty members for 9 days, or approximately $4000 per worker. Those plans are now currently on hold, pending further discussion.
Dozens of faculty, staff, and students rallied together, urging the administration to reconsider proposed cuts intended to mitigate the institution’s multi-million-dollar deficit. The deferred resolution outlined a strategy to save the school $8 million, through a combination of $3 million in targeted spending reductions and $5 million achieved by implementing layoffs.
Rapalo stated in the interview that the concept of “strategic right-sizing” plays a key role in his approach to the deficit, aiming to align the college’s operations and budget with its current realities and future objectives. “It would be unwise of me to promise this will be fixed in six months, or even a year,” he said.
Current active measures include a hiring freeze – only hiring absolutely essential personnel, and a re-evaluation of the college’s operating budget. Rapalo suggested a reduction from $67 million to a more realistic figure between %58 and $60 million is necessary.
While affirming that no programs have yet been cut, he did indicate some sectors that were more likely to remain the same or grow, such as the nursing division, and general workforce development. “Workforce, workforce, workforce”, he stated.
Efforts to reverse the enrollment decline have seen early signs of success, with a reported 6% recent enrollment increase.
New President, More Efficient Administration
Dr. Rapalo stated that his administration is taking decisive steps to address the financial situation, including replacing the former Chief Financial Officer and reforming the cabinet to better navigate the college towards fiscal stability. He stated that the college remains committed to its educational mission, with no programs cut and initiatives underway to expand departments such as business and healthcare, ensuring SUNY Rockland’s offerings align with student needs and job market demands.
Dr. Rapalo, who began his tenure in the summer of 2023 to replace Dr. Michael Baston, the former President, has approximately two decades of experience in higher education administration, with a background in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
The RCC President’s previous roles include serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs within the CUNY system and holding positions at Union College in New Jersey.
Future Directions and Community Engagement
Dr. Rapalo outlined a multi-faceted strategy to tackle the budget shortfall, emphasizing the need for visionary budgeting, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to fulfilling student aspirations and community needs.
As SUNY Rockland addresses its budget deficit, the President cited a future for the College where “fiscal responsibility, educational quality, and student success are at the forefront of our efforts.”
