Chancellor Zimpher Provides Update on SUNY's Storm Recovery Efforts

Albany – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today announced that most campuses have stabilized in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

While the majority of SUNY’s 64 campuses have returned to a normal class schedule, fourteen in the New York City, Long Island, and Westchester areas continue to report cancellations or closures. SUNY Old Westbury, and certain branch locations of Stony Brook University, SUNY Empire State College, and Suffolk Community College remain without power.

“SUNY moved quickly from storm preparation to response and recovery,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “Our emergency teams have been working around the clock to ensure a quick return to campus for students, faculty, and staff. It’s situations like these that highlight the deep connections between our campuses and the communities they serve, and we are providing them with the support and resources they need to get all of New York back on its feet.”

Members of the SUNY System Emergency Response Team have been stationed 24/7 at both the State Emergency Operations Center and at the SUNY Emergency Operations Center to ensure quick, effective, and coordinated response.

“We evaluated potential needs early on and positioned resources before the storm hit and, as soon as conditions allowed, deployed as needed,” said Robert Haelen, vice chancellor for capital facilities and general manager of the SUNY Construction Fund. “Even with disruptions in the transportation network, we were able to deliver generators where they needed to go in a timely manner. We also have a team of Construction Fund staff at SUNY Maritime helping to evaluate the situation and get their basic systems back online.”

Other issues campuses are facing include flooding, downed trees, roof damage, and problems with IT networks.

In addition, several campuses are hosting shelters for the surrounding communities. These include SUNY New Paltz, Mohawk Valley Community College, Rockland Community College, and Suffolk Community College.

“While facilities can be repaired, what is most important is that our students are safe and our employees are back to work or able to care for their loved ones,” added Chancellor Zimpher. “The teamwork and collegiality that comes alive across the system in these times of need are truly an emblematic symbol of The Power of SUNY.”

The following is a summary of campus statuses as of Wednesday, October 29, 2012:

·         Downstate Medical Center college classes are canceled Wednesday. All Downstate hospital and clinical sites are open and providing full services.

·         Empire State College centers closed include: New York City offices (Wednesday and Thursday), Long Island offices, Hartsdale, Nanuet (Wednesday).

·         Farmingdale classes are cancelled Wednesday.

·         Fashion Institute of Technology classes are canceled Wednesday, and are expected to resume Thursday.

·         Maritime is closed. Students were encouraged to leave campus. Watercraft and large Maritime and Kings Points ships are being secured. The roof of their Science & Engineering Building has blown off. Power was restored today.

·         Nassau County Community College has canceled class Wednesday.

·         Old Westbury is closed. They have lost power and sustained tree damage due to high winds.

·         Optometry has canceled classes and scheduled patient care for Wednesday.

·         Purchase has canceled classes Wednesday. They expect to resume classes Thursday.

·         Rockland Community College is closed Wednesday.

·         Stony Brook University has cancelled classes Wednesday. The Southampton campus has lost power and residents have been relocated to the main campus. The Hospital remains open. They are prepared to accept patients evacuated from other facilities.

·         Suffolk Community College is closed Wednesday.

·         Sullivan Community College is closed Wednesday.

·         Westchester Community College is closed Wednesday.

All other campuses are operating as usual.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 465,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

###