For Immediate Release

December 14, 2022

ALBANY, NY - Today, Dr. Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D, President of United University Professions (UUP), the nation’s largest higher education union, issued the following statement regarding the 2023 SUNY budget request:

“UUP welcomes SUNY’s request for additional operating aid to our campuses and critical support for the SUNY hospitals. This budget request is an acknowledgment of the funding constraints our institutions have worked within since 2009.

“Over a decade later, the direct state support to SUNY campuses is still less than what it was in the 2010-11 state budget and the result should not be a surprise: State-operated SUNY campuses across the state are facing massive projected operating deficits – some with deficits over $15 million– totaling nearly $160 million across the system. This is not sustainable.

“Last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget made important steps towards righting years of underfunding to the state university system, and we must continue these investments. With this request by the Board of Trustees and additional proposals from UUP, we hope to see the start of Albany keeping its promise to SUNY students, families, faculty and staff, and the communities our university system serves.”