I am pleased that NYSUNY 2020 recognizes that establishing one, or even two, "flagships" would create fundamental inequalities throughout the SUNY system. Fortunately, NYSUNY 2020 applies to all four of the University Centers, as I argued for in my letter to the governor. The Competitive Challenge Grants will allow the University Centers to expand on their long-term academic and economic development plans.

This is a great opportunity for Binghamton University. As a result of this initiative, they will be able to continue developing strategic partnerships with the goal of state and regional revitalization. This will also allow them to expand their state of the art Innovative Technologies Complex and continue their collaborative work with other campuses such as SUNY Upstate Medical in Syracuse.

While SUNY stands to benefit from these additional resources, I hope that NYSUNY 2020 is just one step towards making system-wide reforms that will help all of SUNY's campuses become more competitive.

It remains unclear what the future is for the specific UB 2020 proposal.