President Joe Bertolino stated at Stockton University's Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday that the institution will have a structural budget shortfall of more than $20 million for the 2027 fiscal year. "We have managed that gap in previous years, but we cannot do so permanently," Bertolino stated. "To safeguard Stockton's long-term stability, the magnitude of the task necessitates urgency, discipline, and thoughtful action." The announcement follows Stockton's plan to assist the school's long-term financial stability, which included sending voluntary buyout notices to specific employee groups earlier this month.