TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo's interim president acknowledged continued issues with decreased enrollment, program cuts and other financial challenges during the State of the University address on Wednesday.
"Enrollment and the headwinds that all the colleges and universities face are real. For us, it's really getting back to the fundamentals with our recruitment plan and working that plan to completion," Matt Schroeder said in the address. "We are not going to be able to cut (classes) our way to success."
Schroeder also acknowledged there had not been a State of the University address in 18 months, saying "from my perspective that is too long to wait given all the opportunities that we have in front of us."
The university has seen a steady decline in enrollment numbers over the past several years, with a 3.8% drop in overall students enrolled in the fall 2024 semester compared to the same semester the year prior.
"That's the nature of a state of the university address, right?" said faculty senate president, Jerry Van Hoy. "On one hand, you like to only talk about the positives but the reality is that there are always challenges."
Despite the challenges facing UToledo, Van Hoy said the university is taking steps in the right direction to find success.
"We really need to work on convincing students that we're their destination," he said. "I think faculty are eager to help work on issues like enrollment."
Schroeder said following the program cuts in the spring, the administration made the choice to begin taking steps to invest in the future of the university with a focus on recruitment, retaining students and potential in growing programs.
"We have been fiscally disciplined over the years. We have made some very difficult decisions. We are now at a position though where we need to invest," Schroeder said.