STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Agency Mission

The State University of New York is the largest public university system in the nation. There are 64 campuses that offer various programs across the State. There are four university centers, 13 university colleges, two independent health science centers, four specialized colleges, five statutory colleges, six colleges of technology and 30 community colleges. The mission of the State University of New York is to provide the highest quality education with the broadest possible access. The three components of the mission are teaching, public service and research.

Year-to-Year Change

The Executive recommends a total of $1,589,000,000 to the SUNY's operating budget in Fiscal Year 1999-2000, which represents an increase of $2,000,000 to its operating budget over the prior year level to reflect transfer of Research Center on Addictions from the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to SUNY Buffalo. The proposed budget includes no support for other mandatory contractual obligations or critical program need. The University's operations continue to suffer from drastic cuts to its budget over a four year period from 1995-96 to 1998-99.

Legislative Changes

The Executive proposes a total appropriation of $750,000 for the administration and study of Charter Schools to the All State University Colleges and Schools program for Fiscal Year 1999-2000. Charter Schools are newly created entities. This level of administrative support is not necessary at this time.

Legislative Proposals

The Assembly recognizes the importance of maintaining our educational system and its institutions. The State University has suffered massive reductions to its operating budget over the past four years. These reductions have culminated in staffing problems, lack of adequate childcare for students, and lack of opportunity for disadvantaged students at the University. In recognition of these needs the Assembly proposes an additional $87,000,000 in academic year support for vital university programs.

The Assembly proposes an additional $51,900,000 in academic year support for inflationary and mandatory cost increases and maintenance of critical programs university-wide.

The Assembly proposes an additional $20,000,000 to increase community college base aid funding by $150 per full-time equivalent student in the amount of operational aid community colleges receive and brings the current $2,050 per full-time equivalent student up to $2,200. This increase will provide community colleges with increased financial stability during the upcoming school year and eliminate the need for any tuition increases.

The Assembly recognizes that the University's science, engineering, and technology teaching professionals are vital to the continued success of the institution at educating students and advancing research. The Assembly, therefore, proposes a science, engineering, and technology faculty line enhancement of $8,800,000 that provides for approximately 150 additional professional lines university-wide to promote full-time faculty maintenance in these academic areas.

The Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) provides valuable academic assistance to economically and academically disadvantaged students in their pursuit of college degrees. The Assembly proposes an additional $3,800,000 for the EOP program which represents a restoration to its 1994-95 level of funding.

The current level of child care funding at the State University is not enough to meet the present demands. The Assembly, therefore, proposes an additional $2,000,000 to enhance and expand current child care operations at the State University.

The Assembly accepts the Governor's proposal to increase SUNY's Residence Hall bonding obligation cap by $82,000,000. The Assembly also accepts the Executive's proposal to transfer the Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) from the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services to SUNY at Buffalo, provided that positions in the Research Institute that are currently in the classified civil service remain as such.

The Assembly accepts the Governor's proposal to authorize the Dormitory Authority to provide up to $1,200,000 to Cornell University to support its super computer technology operations at the Cornell Theory Center.

The Assembly proposes maintenance of community college operational aid increases at appropriated levels for the 1999-2000 State Fiscal Year.

The Assembly proposes an additional $500,000 for the Fashion Institute of Technology for a technology initiative.

Capital Projects

The Assembly also provides for the addition of the SUNY at Albany East Campus's Transgenic Facility for $600,000 within SUNY's five-year capital plan.

The Assembly restores SUNY's Capital Projects program for years prior to 1995 and authorizes interim student housing at SUNY Purchase within the pre-1995 Capital Projects Program of the State University.