SUNY chancellor seeks additional funds for capital improvements, hospitals and community colleges
By Matthew McKibben
In an Executive Budget hearing Thursday on higher education, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher sounded enthusiastic about embarking on several new initiatives outlined in the budget, but says funding is missing to keep some important programs viable.
"As it does every year, the Executive Budget brings with it exciting new opportunities for SUNY as well as a few challenges that we would like to see addressed," Zimpher said.
The chancellor said she is looking forward to the launch of the new school of emergency preparedness and the new school of pharmacy in Binghamton and added she is "beyond thrilled" Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included another round of SUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Acts in the Executive Budget.
However, Zimpher said she would like to see funding restored in the Executive Budget for a number of access programs, which aim to increase the number of low-income, minority and underserved students who can attend college. The programs she singled out include: ATTAIN, which promotes digital parity in New York's economically challenged communities; 10 SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers across the state, which provide academic and vocational programs to urban communities; and the SUNY child care centers, which provide care for children of students, faculty, staff and community members.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-02-10-86721.113122-SUNY-chancellor-seeks-additional-funds-for-capital-improvements-hospitals-and-community-colleges.html