Agency Mission

The State University of New York (SUNY) is the largest public university system in the nation. There are sixty four campuses offering academic programs across the State. There are four university centers, thirteen university colleges, two independent health science centers, four specialized colleges, five statutory colleges, six colleges of technology and thirty community colleges. The mission of the State University of New York is to provide the highest quality postsecondary education with the broadest possible access. The three major components of its mission are teaching, public service and research.

Year-to-Year Change

The Executive recommends a general operating budget of $1,783,730,000 for state operated campuses in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2001-02. This represents a net increase of $41,846,000 over SFY 2000-01 levels.

The Executive provides $323,557,000 in aid to community colleges for SFY 2001-02. This represents a net increase of $2,248,600 over SFY 2000-01 levels.

Legislative Changes

Eliminates Funding for Priority Needs of the SUNY Trustees.

$(8,876,000)   ST/GEN

The Assembly recommends eliminating the Executive appropriation of $8,876,000 for priorities of the SUNY trustees. This results from a lack of identified projects requiring support from this appropriation.

Eliminates Mission Review Funding.

$(5,000,000)   ST/GEN

The Assembly recommends eliminating the Executive appropriation of $5,000,000 in support for mission review. This results from a lack of projects identified as requiring support from this appropriation.

Reduces Funding for the Trustees Venture Fund.

$(2,895,000)   ST/GEN

The Assembly recommends the Executive appropriation for the Trustees Venture Fund be reduced by ($2,895,000). This results from a lack of identified projects requiring support from this appropriation. The remaining $2,000,000 in the Trustees Venture Fund shall be used for campus emergencies.

Reduction in SUNY Central Administration Due to Operating Efficiencies.

$(2,200,000)   ST/GEN

The Assembly recommends reducing the Executive appropriation for central administration purposes at SUNY by ($2,200,000). This results from anticipated efficiencies from streamlining operations and better organizational coordination.

Eliminates Funding for the Charter School Institute.

$(750,000)   ST/GEN

The Assembly recommends eliminating the Executive appropriation of $750,000 for the Charter School Institute. With only a limited number of charter schools currently in operation across New York State and additional administrative funding provided through the State Education Department appropriation, this level of support is not required at this time.

Legislative Proposals

The Assembly recognizes that a strong public university system provides a foundation for future economic growth in New York State. Over the last six years, SUNY has been the victim of reductions that have threatened its ability to maintain the quality services it provides. These reductions have culminated in staffing problems, lack of necessary childcare services and inadequate resources directed toward improving access to a higher education for all students. The Assembly has responded to these needs by proposing that an additional $61,733,000 be provided for vital university programs in the 2001-02 Academic Year.

The Assembly proposes a multi-year commitment in support for community colleges aimed at increasing the State's share of total net operating costs from the level of 31.8 percent provided in 2000-01 to 40 percent by 2005-06. This increase will provide community colleges with greater financial stability and eliminates the need for a tuition increase. In 2001-02, the Assembly adds $24,500,000 in Academic Year support to increase Community College Base Aid by $175 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student from $2,250 per FTE to $2,425 per FTE. In addition, the Assembly recommends the following increases in Community College Base Aid:

-- In 2002-03, an increase of $28,708,426 in State support to increase base aid per FTE by $205 per student from $2,425 per FTE to $2,630 per student;

-- In 2003-04, an increase of $30,108,837 in State support to increase base aid per FTE by $215 per student from $2,630 per FTE to $2,845 per student;

-- In 2004-05, an increase of $31,649,289 in State support to increase base aid per FTE by $226 per student from $2,845 per FTE to $3,071 per student; and

-- In 2005-06, an increase of $33,189,741 in State support to increase base aid per FTE by $237 per student from $3,071 per FTE to $3,308 per student.

In addition, the Assembly recommends that the remaining share of total net operating costs be supported in equal amounts by revenues contributed by student tuition revenues and local support.

The Assembly recommends additional support to address the faculty recruitment needs of SUNY. This plan would provide an additional $22,730,000 in State support in the 2001-02 academic year for full-time faculty lines. This marks the initial commitment of a multi-year investment aimed at providing an additional $37,050,000 in State support for the hiring of additional full-time faculty by 2005-06 in the following manner:

-- In 2002-03, $26,310,000 in State support for full-time faculty needs representing a $3,580,000 increase over prior year levels;

-- In 2003-04, $29,890,000 in State support for full-time faculty needs representing a $3,580,000 increase over prior year levels;

-- In 2004-05, $33,470,000 in State support for full-time faculty needs representing a $3,580,000 increase over prior year levels; and

-- In 2005-06, $37,050,000 in State support for full-time faculty needs representing a $3,580,000 increase over prior year levels.

In addition, the Assembly requires SUNY to evaluate and report to the Legislature on the current ratio of full-time faculty to adjunct faculty and the full-time faculty needs of its institutions.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides valuable academic assistance to economically and academically disadvantaged students in their pursuit of a college degree. The Assembly recommends providing an additional $6,165,000 for this program in the 2001-02 Academic Year. This marks the initial commitment of a multi-year investment aimed at providing an additional State support for the EOP program in the following manner:

-- In 2002-03, $20,700,000 in State support for the EOP program representing a $600,000 increase over prior year levels;

-- In 2003-04, $21,320,000 in State support for the EOP program representing a $620,000 increase over prior year levels;

-- In 2004-05, $21,960,000 in State support for the EOP program representing a $640,000 increase over prior year levels; and

-- In 2005-06, $22,620,000 in State support for the EOP program representing a $660,000 increase over prior year levels.

The Assembly recommends providing an additional $2,940,000 for the expansion of existing childcare services provided to students at State operated campuses and community colleges. In addition, the Assembly requires SUNY to evaluate and report to the Legislature on current childcare services being provided and the needs of its institutions for providing additional childcare services.

The Assembly allocates the $55,250,000 lump sum appropriation included within the Governor's proposal for collective bargaining agreements, full-time faculty, and other priority needs identified by the trustees in the following manner:

-- $41,150,000 to support collective bargaining costs for the 2001-02 Academic Year; and

-- $14,100,000 to support increased costs incurred at campuses due to enrollment growth.

In addition, the Assembly recommends the following additions to the Governor's proposal for programs and services to be provided through the State University of New York:

-- An additional $1,400,000 to support a reduction of the tuition requirements for out of state students enrolling at SUNY Maritime College;

-- An additional $1,000,000 to support the creation of an Eminent Scholars Program;

-- An additional $1,000,000 to support an Agricultural Technology Initiative to be developed at the SUNY Colleges of Agriculture and Technology;

-- An additional $1,000,000 in state support of Contract Course programs offered at SUNY community colleges;

-- An additional $500,000 to support a technology initiative at community colleges;

-- An additional $375,000 in support for Small Business Development Centers; and

-- An additional $125,000 for the purposes of studying the academic curriculum currently available for students identified with a learning disability attending SUNY institutions.

The Assembly recommends that the current three percent State-operated institution and community college employee contribution of SUNY faculty participating in the optional retirement plan begin to be phased-out for employees who have attained ten-years of service within SUNY beginning September 1, 2001.

The Assembly rejects the Executive proposal to provide the SUNY Board of Trustees with the authority to establish different tuition levels at graduate and professional programs offered at SUNY institutions.

The Assembly rejects the Governor's proposal authorizing the SUNY Board of Trustees to lease land at the Geneva Agricultural Experiment Station for the purpose of creating the Geneva Agricultural and Food Technology Park.

The Assembly recommends that limitations be placed on the following student fees: the Intercollegiate Athletic Fee, the Health Services Fee, the Technology Fee, the Transportation Fee and similar broad based student fees. The Assembly recommends that the total cost for these fees not exceed 25 percent of tuition for the 2002-03 Academic Year, and be reduced to 15 percent of tuition by the 2004-05 Academic Year.

SUNY Health Science Centers

The Assembly accepts the Governor's proposal to provide a direct state subsidy of $92,100,000 to support the operations of the State University of New York's Health Science Centers (HSCs) as a first step towards attaining fiscal stability. The Assembly will also accept the Governor's proposed legislative changes relating to the HSCs with certain modifications, including expanding the scope of the Governor's proposal to study the capital needs of the HSCs to include the capital needs of hospitals affiliated with the Medical School of the University of Buffalo.

SUNY Board of Trustees

The Assembly proposes altering the governance structure of the State University of New York by replacing the State University Trustees with a governing council that has as its foundation the Presidents of the campuses of the State University and streamlining the operations of the State University's central administration.