State University of New York

Agency Web Site: https://www.suny.edu/

Mission

Created in 1948, the State University of New York (SUNY) is the largest public university system in the nation with 64 campuses offering a complete range of academic, professional, and vocational programs. SUNY is uniquely positioned to provide New Yorkers with access to quality postsecondary educational programs in all regions of the State.

Organization and Staffing

SUNY is governed by an 18-member Board of Trustees consisting of 15 members appointed by the Governor, by and with consent of the State Senate, and the Presidents of the Student Assembly, the University Faculty Senate, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges, all three of whom serve as ex-officio members. Aside from the Board, SUNY's leadership structure consists of a Chancellor, individual college Presidents, and centralized staff. Additionally, each community college has its own campus President and Board of Trustees. The State University includes 29 State-operated campuses, five statutory colleges, and 30 community colleges, located across New York and employing thousands of academic, administrative, and facility personnel.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2025 Executive Budget recommends $13.3 billion in total appropriations for SUNY and projects a workforce of 46,854 full-time equivalent employees.

The Executive Budget includes three different categories of appropriations for SUNY:

• $11.6 billion for the operations of State-operated campuses, statutory colleges, and SUNY's hospitals, a $162 million net decrease to appropriated levels compared to the prior year. This change is comprised of a $390 million increase for the operations of four-year campuses and hospitals, the one-time $500 million appropriation in FY 2024 for the State match to endowment contributions at SUNY's university centers, and the absence of $52 million in FY 2024 paybill authority to support negotiated agreements for UUP, MC, and PEF.
• $1.2 billion in new appropriations and $5.7 billion in reappropriations for capital projects. The new FY 2025 appropriation total is $679 million less than the new appropriation total in FY 2024, but $296 million more than the FY 2025 appropriation level included in the FY 2024 Enacted Budget Capital Plan.
• $445 million for community colleges, a slightly lower level than FY 2024 due to non-recurring appropriations.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Higher Education (PDF)

Program Highlights

SUNY is one of the nation's largest comprehensive public universities, offering over 7,000 degree and certificate programs at the research universities, community colleges, medical schools, and colleges of technology that comprise its 64 campuses. Per Fall 2023 enrollment data, approximately 368,000 full- and part-time students are pursuing studies ranging from one-year certificate programs to doctorates.

Increase State Support for SUNY Campuses by $100 Million

The Executive Budget provides $100 million in new, recurring State support for SUNY State-operated campuses and statutory colleges. This increased funding includes:

• $54 million for general operating support;
• $36 million for university employee fringe benefits;
• $2.75 million for the Empire State Service Corps, offering students community service work opportunities;
• $2.5 million for the operating costs of SUNY's participation in the Empire AI consortium to spur artifical intelligence research and innovation;
• $2 million for SUNY's role in the larger Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative;
• $1.5 million for the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany, providing real-time weather information for public-sector stakeholders; and
• $1 million for micro-credential programs that educate teachers in the science of reading.

Advance Additional State Support to Help Cover Collective Bargaining Costs

The Executive Budget will provide SUNY with $103 million in June 2024 to cover the lump-sum payments from the general salary increases of 2% effective in 2022 and 3% in 2023 under the recently ratified United University Professions contract, representing an advance on funding SUNY would otherwise receive in the following academic year.

Maintain the Community College Funding Floor

The Executive Budget will maintain a funding floor for community colleges at 100 percent of prior year funding. Without a funding floor, SUNY community colleges would face a $83 million (20 percent) loss in formula aid due to enrollment declines.

Invest in SUNY Facilities

The Executive Budget provides $1.2 billion in new appropriations and $5.7 billion in reappropriations for SUNY capital projects. The new appropriations provide: $650 million in new capital appropriations for State-operated campuses, $138 million for community college projects, $100 million for campus-funded projects, $75 million for dormitory-related projects funded by dorm revenues, $29 million for SUNY capital program administration, and $210 million to support personal service and other costs associated with staff whose duties are related to maintenance, preservation, and operation of SUNY facilities.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/16/2024