SUNY Leaders React to New York State Budget Agreement

Albany – State University of New York officials issued the following statements regarding the 2012-13 New York State budget agreement announced today by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said, “With their continued support of SUNY, especially our community colleges and academic medical centers, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature send a clear message that higher education is a priority in New York State and they ensure that all New Yorkers will continue to have access to an affordable college education of the highest quality. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and our legislative leaders for this unprecedented level of support.”

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “Once again the Governor and Legislature have made the prudent decision to prioritize the State University as a catalyst for New York’s revitalization. Their investment in community colleges and academic medical centers will help to build a workforce prepared for the 21^st century knowledge economy. We truly appreciate the work of Governor Cuomo as well as our legislative partners – Senator Lavalle and Assemblymember Glick – in their steadfast commitment to higher education.”

SUNY Student Assembly President Kaitlyn Beachner said, “SUNY students are pleased that Governor Cuomo and the legislature have made efforts to address critical needs across the University. The additional per student funding at community colleges and additional state support for our academic medical centers will help to ensure more students can enter the workforce prepared to drive New York’s future.”

Faculty Council of Community Colleges President Tina Good said, “Community college faculty know firsthand the commitment and determination of our students as they work to begin their careers, build their skills, or reinvent themselves. The additional funding the Governor and Legislature have invested in community colleges will help ensure that students at any stage in life have access to a high quality, affordable education.”

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 467,000 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