COVID-19 cripples the SBU’s finances, causing hiring freezes and “systematic changes” to future budgets Alek LewisAdministrationFacultyNewsAugust 20, 2020 In an email to faculty and staff sent out on Aug. 12, President Maurie McInnis outlined the university’s major financial issues. She also touched on how the administration plans to combat the deficit caused by the COVID-19 crisis.