State University of New York

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Agency Web Site: http://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. The State University system is uniquely positioned to provide New Yorkers with access to quality post-secondary educational programs in all regions of the State.

Organization and Staffing

SUNY is governed by an eighteen member Board of Trustees consisting of fifteen members appointed by the Governor, by and with consent of the New York State Senate, the President of the Student Assembly, and the Presidents of the University Faculty Senate and Faculty Council of Community Colleges as ex-officio members. Aside from the Board, SUNY's leadership structure also consists of a Chancellor, individual college Presidents and centralized staff. Additionally, each of the thirty community colleges have their own campus presidents and boards of trustees. The State University includes 29 state operated campuses, 5 statutory colleges, and 30 community colleges, located across New York and employing thousands of academic, administrative, and facility personnel.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends appropriations of $10.5 billion for SUNY which represents a $548 million increase from the previous year. This reflects additional support for capital projects, tuition revenue, and employee fringe benefit costs.

The FY 2018 Executive Budget projects a workforce of 44,732, consistent with FY 2017 levels.

The Executive Budget includes a new Excelsior Scholarship Program, a first in the nation tuition-free degree program that will enable students to attend tuition-free for working and middle-class families making up to $125,000 annually. To qualify for an Excelsior Scholarship, students must be a resident of New York and be on track to complete their chosen degree in two or four years. Funding for the award fully covers the cost of tuition after the Tuition Assistance Program, Pell and other financial aid awards are applied.

The Budget continues New York’s long history of providing students with an affordable higher education by limiting tuition increases to a rational and predictable level. Already well below the national average and 38 other states, the Executive Budget limits the resident tuition rate at SUNY and CUNY to increase by no more than $250 a year over the next 5 years. In addition, the Budget includes $55 million for a new round of NYSUNY 2020 capital challenge grants.

The Executive Budget maintains base operating aid for SUNY community colleges at $2,697 per full time equivalent student.

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

The State University of New York (SUNY) is the nation's largest comprehensive public university, 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. Nearly 443,000 full- and part-time students - 220,000 at State-operated campuses and 223,000 at community colleges - are pursuing studies ranging from one-year certificate programs to doctorates. In order to help students obtain an affordable education and complete their degree on-time, SUNY is working to expand high-impact programs across the system with the goal of graduating 150,000 students a year by 2025. A sampling of SUNY programs include the following:

University at Buffalo “Finish in Four” Program

The University at Buffalo launched its Finish in Four program in 2012, with the 63 percent of the first enrollees graduating on-time, far exceeding the national average. Through Finish in Four, UB commits to providing students with resources such as seats in required classes, and a semester-by-semester outline of the courses they will need to earn a degree in four years. In exchange, students pledge to follow the plan, register on time, and communicate with an academic adviser at least once per semester. Participants who fulfill all program obligations but are unable to graduate in four years can finish their degree at UB free. Finish in Four has been replicated by colleges and universities throughout SUNY.

SUNY Cortland Completion Path Collaborative

The Completion Path Collaborative program will help students at nearby community colleges successfully transition to SUNY Cortland and earn a bachelor’s degree. The four year pilot program, started in fall 2016 with support from the SUNY Investment and Performance Fund, seeks to build a well-defined, resource-rich path for ambitious students who begin their education at SUNY’s Tompkins-Cortland or Broome Community Colleges.

Westchester Community College Completion Coaches

Westchester Community College recently hired eight Completion Coaches to connect with individual students and ensure they are on track to meet their academic and career goals, with their primary focus on helping students earn their degree.

The above programs have shown promise in helping students graduate on-time and with as little debt as possible. With the addition of the Excelsior Scholarship Program, not only will more students be able to realize the dream of going to college, they will also be provided the tools to succeed in their path to a degree.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017