SUNY Potsdam welcomes new students with its First-Year Funnel every fall, with faculty and staff gathering to cheer on freshmen as they arrive on campus. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. SUNY Potsdam photo.

POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam is preparing to welcome its 207th class of new students, as the Class of 2027 is set to settle in on campus and hundreds of students get ready to return for the fall semester.

While there have been recent concerns over the college’s $9 million deficit and expected cuts to programs, the number of students arriving for the first time at the campus is increasing for the second year in a row.

Total number of students enrolled at the campus this year is expected to be around the same number as last year, just over 2,400. 

“Total registered student enrollment numbers are approximately 100 students over the fall 2023 budget goal, as of August 14,” said Director of Admissions Terry Francis. “The total enrolled student number will continue to grow, since there are still new students registering for classes each day. There should also be some increased upward movement in the number of registered returning students.  

“Total fall 2023 student enrollment could get very close to fall 2022 total student enrollment, which would actually be a bit ahead of schedule,” Francis said. “I say that because we have been graduating some of the bigger classes that entered pre-Covid, so climbing back to flat rather than backtracking each year is a sign of progress, as we navigate the new landscape that is impacting all of higher education.”

“As we open the doors to a new academic year at SUNY Potsdam, I extend a warm welcome to both our returning students and the Class of 2027. I just know that your energy and enthusiasm will infuse our campus with renewed life and purpose this fall. We can’t wait to greet you and your families, as we look forward to a new semester and a successful start to the academic year,” said President Dr. Suzanne Smith.

Welcome Weekend will take place from Thursday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 27. SUNY Potsdam is projected to welcome approximately 800 new students this fall, including undergraduate first-time and transfer students, as well as new graduate students. This marks the second consecutive year of increasing numbers of new students.

Returning students will note that four programs at the college with low or no enrollment are being phased out in light of the college’s deficit problem. These are College Teaching (CAS), Computer Science Education (BA), Geographic Information Science (BS), and Speech Communication (BA). Students enrolled in those programs will be able finish their academic tract and obtain their degrees however.

The incoming Class of 2027 will arrive on Thursday, Aug. 24. First-year students and their families will be buzzing around campus and the village on move-in day. New students will be greeted by faculty, staff and upperclassmen during the First-Year Funnel at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Campus community members will cheer on the long line of new students, as they walk to their New Student Convocation.

President Smith has begun a new tradition for all new students. At Convocation, each student will be presented with a special silver challenge coin. The coins are meant for each student to keep throughout their journey at SUNY Potsdam, as a reminder of the importance of finding a support system and considering the important role that others play in our personal success.

As students approach Commencement, they will be invited to share their coin with someone who made a difference in their education and in their life—whether it be a professor, a staff mentor, a family member or friend. In return, all new graduates will receive a special maroon challenge coin of their own to keep at Commencement.

The Welcome Weekend celebrations will continue through Sunday, with orientation, a carnival, a Student Union takeover, outdoor games and a karaoke/glow party at the Marshall Park Bandshell, among many other activities. Returning students will arrive throughout the weekend.  

The Fall 2023 semester kicks off on Monday, Aug. 28, with classes commencing in the morning.

To find out more about what’s going on at SUNY Potsdam this fall, explore HYPERLINK "http://www.potsdam.edu/"www.potsdam.edu.