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WESTERN NEW YORK ADVOCATES BACK GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO STRENGTHEN NEW YORK’S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Creation of Endowment will Drive New York to Compete in the Innovation Economy

Education advocates in Western New York today stood with Governor Eliot Spitzer to endorse his plan to make New York’s higher education system a world class system that will support a growing innovation economy. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, United University Professions (UUP), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) have endorsed the Governor's plan. The various organizations in attendance said they will engage New Yorkers across the state to discuss the importance of creating a $4 billion endowment that will serve as a foundation for future improvements to New York’s public higher education system. The event was attended by students, administrators and faculty of Buffalo area institutions.

The advocates made the announcement at the M. Wile Building, a property recently purchased by SUNY-University at Buffalo (UB) to help create a more vibrant presence for the university in downtown Buffalo. The event is part of the Governor’s statewide “Investing in New York’s Future” Tour. The Governor is traveling the state to discuss, in real terms, what this year’s Executive Budget means to New York’s universities, students, families and the surrounding communities.

The $4 billion public higher education endowment, announced in the Governor’s State of the State Address earlier this year, is expected to initially yield $220 million per year in a new funding stream for New York’s public colleges and universities. Within 10 years, the endowment is expected to grow to $6.3 billion and generate over $330 million per year.

“Excellence in higher education is the key to a better future for our State,” said Governor Spitzer. “In a world where innovation is driving the economy, it is critical that we prepare every New Yorker to compete. If we want to create jobs statewide, and revitalize the Upstate region, we must ensure that our system of higher education is second-to-none. As such, we must take this historic step in the state budget that will pay dividends for years to come. With our partners in business, labor and higher education, we are committed together to building a public higher education system that will be a powerful engine for economic growth and opportunity all across New York State.”

The event in Buffalo is the first in a series of stops across the state in which the Governor will stress the need for the state to commit to funding New York’s higher education system.

Byron W. Brown, Mayor of Buffalo said: “The City of Buffalo is making great progress, especially with over $4.4 billion in ongoing developments across the city, so I want to thank Governor Spitzer for recommending and advocating for the Public Higher Education Endowment that could bring significantly greater development and investment in Buffalo through the University at Buffalo.”

John Simpson, President of University at Buffalo said: “The future of our state and our regions will depend on our ability to compete successfully in the 21st century knowledge economy. Investing in a world-class public higher education system is the key to unlocking that future. An endowment for SUNY and CUNY would provide a critical vehicle for that investment.”

Robert Hoeing, Associate Professor at University at Buffalo, Faculty Senate Chair and UUP Member said: “This endowment will enable UB and other SUNY institutions to hire world-class faculty to help us compete on the global stage by bringing in research dollars and intellectual capital that will transform our state’s economy and, perhaps more importantly, nurture the minds of students who will be our future leaders.”

Mike Blumenson, President of Digital Surveillance Solutions said: “Small companies like mine can only benefit from increased investment in UB. The pay-off will include more highly-skilled graduates that can help grow local companies, create access to the most advanced technologies and will energize a vibrant and diverse community that is a real selling point in attracting future employees, particularly from out-of-town.”

Allie Brady, President of Buffalo State College’s United Students Government and an active member of NYPIRG said: “As a representative of Buffalo State students and of NYPIRG, I am proud to stand here today with the Governor, members of the higher education community and fellow SUNY students to show support for the worthy goal of creating a multi-billion dollar funding stream for SUNY and CUNY. The creation of a large-scale endowment can give students and families the kind of real, long-term investment that can make a substantial difference in our education.”

Jenna Christphonte, an alumni of University at Buffalo undergraduate, former student representative on the University at Buffalo Council and current law student at University at Buffalo said: “As a student leader, a law student, a scholarship recipient and a double-major undergraduate student, I’ve seen the breadth of opportunities public higher education can offer its students. An investment in SUNY, and UB in particular, is an investment in the future of people from all walks of life, people who have all kinds of dreams and aspirations.”

Governor Spitzer also recognized the University at Buffalo’s massive transformation as detailed by UB 2020, the university's strategic plan designed to alter the University at Buffalo into a model 21st century public research university. The Governor recently stated that with its downtown Buffalo-focused expansion, the University at Buffalo would become a centerpiece of his strategy to reinvigorate the economy of Western New York.

The Governor also emphasized that the need for the public higher education endowment goes beyond the University at Buffalo. The endowment would strengthen all of the college campuses in Western New York, including Buffalo State, SUNY-Fredonia, Erie Community College, Niagara Community College, and Jamestown Community College.