Governor’s Executive Budget Maintains Funding Levels for Campus; Leaves Need for More Support from the Legislature

The governor's Executive Budget maintains state support, including fringe benefits, for UAlbany, while key capital support for the the new home of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences remains to be sought from the Legislature.

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 26, 2016) — Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2016-17 Executive Budget holds the line on state tax support to UAlbany, amid a slight decrease for the SUNY system.

President Jones expressed satisfaction that the Executive Budget calls for a renewal of $18 million in SUNY Performance Funds and continuations of NYSUNY 2020 — which keeps tuition predictable and affordable while allowing the hiring of more faculty, improved instructional experiences and protection for the neediest students — and Maintenance of Effort language, which maintains state support, including fringe benefits, no less than the prior year.

The Governor also proposed a new Cybersecurity Scholarship Program that would provide 50 eligible full tuition scholarships at a SUNY institution in exchange for a commitment to work in New York State in cybersecurity or a related area after graduation. Additionally, the University supports an increase in critical maintenance beyond the $200 million allocated to SUNY to adequately address critical campus needs, including health and safety issues such as renovations of classrooms and other student-centered spaces.

In addition to advocating for NYSUNY 2020 and critical maintenance, the University is requesting capital support for the first phase of converting the Schuyler building (former Albany High School) on our Downtown Campus into the new home of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. As a research university responsive to what students and the economy demand, this new college will use existing strengths in computer science, mathematics and physics to initially focus on computer and electrical engineering programs, providing an accessible, affordable public option for these high-demand degrees.

The University will also be seeking a restoration of the original $250,000 in support that was funded in last year’s Enacted Budget for the establishment of the NYSTAR Center of Excellence in Atmospheric and Environmental Prediction and Innovation, as well as an additional $250,000 for “ramp up” of the program, similar to the other existing Centers of Excellence. This world class center, when fully developed, will help strengthen the state’s economy by supporting a bigger weather enterprise presence.

The Executive Budget funds the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), which brings research and practice together in schools and other community settings across New York State, at $1.24 million; the University will seek a restoration of $500,000 in funding that was included in last year’s Enacted Budget for this resource.

This year’s Executive Budget also maintains funding at previous year’s levels for special programs such as the evidence-based school improvement initiative, Just for the Kids (Know Your Schools-for NY Kids) within the School of Education, and four programs within the School of Public Health: the Center for Health Workforce Studies; Cardiac Services Program; Public Health Management Leaders of Tomorrow; and the monthly webcast series, Public Health Live.

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