On Tuesday Nov. 9, SUNY officials presented a proposal requesting an additional $1.4 billion from the New York State Division of the Budget at an open public meeting.
At this hearing, state officials said that the estimated budgetary deficit for the 2011-2012 fiscal year has increased from $8.2 billion to $9 billion. This increase could partially be attributed to the stoppage of federal stimulus money as well as to the expiration of a temporary higher income tax on top-earning New Yorkers.
In spite of the deficit, SUNY officials have said they find their requests justified because investments in higher education will ultimately stimulate the economy. This echoes SUNY’s recent strategic plan, which, according to Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, will transform SUNY into a system that can “revitalize New York’s economy and enhance the quality of life for all its citizens.”
The SUNY proposal requests over $800 million: $590 million for residence hall upgrades and $100 million for each of SUNY’s three hospitals. The $800 million is expected to be recouped by the system over time.
Additionally, the proposal requests the appropriation of an additional $550 million for upgrades to educational facilities and $30 million for capital improvements at community colleges.
According to the report SUNY presented along with its proposal, 73 percent of SUNY educational facilities are over 30 years old and 48 percent of all educational facilities are in “poor” or “fair” condition.
This proposal comes at the beginning of the planning stage for the 2011-2012 fiscal budget. Therefore, it is likely that the numbers will change.
Recently, the actual monetary appropriations from the New York State budget to SUNY have fallen short of SUNY’s requests. For example, in 2008 SUNY requested $695 million in capital; $450 million was ultimately awarded.