Home > About BNE > Press Room > 2011 Archive > September > SUNY schools y NYchase cash to rebuild economy

SUNY schools chase cash to rebuild economy

Date: Friday, August 26, 2011,
Robin K. Cooper
Reporter - The Business Review

The State University of New York’s four research centers are planning $825 million in health-related construction projects, creating 3,500 high-paying
faculty and staff positions.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $140 million NYSUNY 2020 grant competition is fueling massive expansion proposals at public universities in Albany,
Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook on Long Island.

Collectively, the projects are expected to boost enrollments by 4,000 students an increase research funding by $350 million over the next five years.
University leaders are competing for up to $35 million apiece to improve programs, attract more top-notch students and faculty, and rebuild regional
economies across New York.

Cuomo introduced the NYSUNY 2020 grant competition in May, saying all four schools were eligible for up to $35 million if they develop solid plans to
boost the economy and improve academic programs. But there are no guarantees.

“The challenge is you have to get your act together,” Cuomo said of the four schools.

Cuomo and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher are expected to decide by the end of the year which plans, if any, will be funded. At stake for the University at Buffalo is the school’s ability to rival major medical centers.

UB’s proposal calls for a $375 million medical school relocation project through a partnership with Kaleida Health System.
“Some of our patients are going to Cleveland and Pittsburgh because they don’t feel they can get the quality of care that they can get outside the area,”
said UB President Satish Tripathi.

By building a medical school downtown on the growing Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the school expects to create 725 faculty and staff positions,
many of which would pay $100,000 or more per year.