Major Employers, Unions Announce Support for Empowerment Act

Albany – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today announced the support of 24 major corporations, associations, and the Building and Construction Trades Council for SUNY’s new strategic plan, The Power of SUNY, and the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act.

In an open letter to the New York State Legislature, the employers and unions wrote that “If there were ever a time for New York State to embrace bold new ideas and creative solutions, it is this time, with this Chancellor and this SUNY.” A full copy of the letter is available here.

“The time for action for SUNY is now,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act will create jobs, reinvigorate our state’s economy, and allow our state university system to be nationally competitive – all at zero cost to taxpayers. The support of the business and labor community is further proof that public higher education can, and will, be the driver for a knowledge-based, 21st century economy.”

"We thank New York's top employers and labor unions for this strong message of support of the Empowerment Act and The Power of SUNY," said Chancellor Zimpher. "These leaders understand better than anyone that we need bold action to spark the state's economic recovery, and they recognize SUNY's capacity to drive innovation, growth and a better quality of life in our communities."

In addition to the New York Building and Construction Trades Council, the letter is signed by: BBL Construction Services, Center for Economic Growth, Central Hudson Energy Group, Columbia Development Companies, Delaware North Companies, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, First Niagara, Frank Murken Products, IBM Corporation, Independent Health, Kaleida Health, Eastman Kodak, Long Island Association, Long Island Contractors’ Association, MOOG, M&T Bank, Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades, New York State Business Council, The Pike Company, SEFCU, SIRGA Advanced Biopharma, WelchAllyn, and Xerox.

Tom King, president of National Grid USA, said “SUNY is positioning itself as a lynchpin for New York's economy and as a business leader I see this as ideal. New York's public university system must have both the vision and the ability to quickly respond to the needs of our major employers and the priorities of our state. Giving SUNY the tools necessary for success will translate into great successes for all of us.”

Ed Malloy, president of the New York Building Trades, said “The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act promises to spur continued construction on SUNY campuses across the State. In a time of fiscal hardship for all New Yorkers, investments in the physical plant of our public systems of higher education are wise investments that will last for years to come and help us grow out of the current recession.”

Michael J. Castellana, president and CEO of SEFCU, said “I commend Chancellor Zimpher for her leadership and vision in championing The Power of SUNY strategic plan and the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act.  These pioneering initiatives will not only enhance the academic missions of the colleges and universities within SUNY, but will serve to drive the innovation, knowledge-based economy throughout the State of New York.  It simply makes great sense, especially in these troubled fiscal times.”

Michael Tucker, president of the Center for Economic Growth, said “I am a strong supporter of The Power of SUNY and the Empowerment Act, which will enrich the role of the entire State University of New York by unleashing the power of public higher education to educate students, advance new research, create new jobs and spur our State’s economy. By providing public higher education with the autonomy it needs to operate like a business, SUNY will be able to create an environment conducive for new knowledge and innovation – both critical components to our success in the 21st century.”

For more information on The Power of SUNY, click here.

For more information of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, click here.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 465,000 students in 7,351 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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