For Immediate Release

February 14, 2023

United University Professions Members, Higher Education Advocates Meet with Legislators to Discuss Key Issues Impacting the Future Of SUNY

Albany, NY – United University Professions (UUP), the nation’s largest higher education union, today held a “Love Your SUNY” themed advocacy day in Albany to highlight UUP’s 2023 legislative agenda and the future of public higher education in New York State.

UUP members from 24 chapters across the state traveled to Albany for the daylong event, which began with remarks from UUP President Fredrick E. Kowal, followed by a full day of meetings with state lawmakers to emphasize the need for funding to close the nearly $160 million operating deficits across 19 SUNY campuses and ensure that SUNY remains an affordable, accessible pathway to higher education for all New York students. The union also called on the Legislature to fully fund SUNY’s budget request of $175 million to stabilize the system’s three teaching hospitals.

“We cannot emphasize enough the pressure SUNY campuses and hospitals are under. Albany needs to act immediately to fill the gaping holes in higher education and healthcare funding. Governor Hochul stated a strong vision for SUNY last year, and though there is more support for SUNY in this year’s Executive Budget, it is not enough to overcome years of austerity under the previous administration,” said UUP President Frederick E. Kowal. “We urge our lawmakers to do their part to ensure the betterment of SUNY and preserve its affordability, and to include this much-needed funding in their budget proposals.”

Following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address, UUP continues to advocate for a system that works for New Yorkers. Boosting operating aid for state-operated campuses is a pivotal and essential first step to protecting affordable public education and jobs, and transposing the state’s decades-long disinvestment in SUNY.

For more information on UUP’s 2023 legislative agenda, visit:https://uupinfo.org/legislation/pdf/UUP23StateLegAgenda.pdf .