Your advocacy makes a difference!  Budget conference commitees have begun deliberations on the 2008-2009 State Budget in Albany.  In order to be competitive in the current world economy, New York must continue to strengthen its public institutions of higher education and invest substantial funds in these institutions.  UB and SUNY cannot afford a 4.5% across-the-board cut!  Your action is needed today to ensure that these essential funds remain a priority in Albany. 

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As the budget conference committees begin deliberations on the 2008-2009 state budget in Albany, I am writing to ask you to demonstrate your support for the University at Buffalo and the UB 2020 growth initiative. It is important to take action to assure repeal of the 4.5 percent across-the-board cut in funding for SUNY, full funding of the SUNY Capital Budget and acceptance of the proposed New York State Endowment for Public Higher Education. These are wise investments in higher education that will provide a permanent funding source and a critical investment in infrastructure.

Within the 2008-2009 SUNY capital budget, UB has requested $524.5 million over five years for the expansion and improvement of its North, South and Downtown campus centers in conjunction with UB's plans to grow by 40 percent by the year 2020. UB's economic impact of $1.5 billion is critical to the Western New York's economic viability; the proposed $11 million cut in UB's operating budget will diminish UB's spending power at a time when the state and national economy are on a downturn.

The impact of the Endowment reaches far beyond the borders of Western New York. Initially funded at $4 billion, the Endowment will generate $220 million in spendable income in its first year. By 2028, the Endowment will have grown to nearly $10 billion and will generate $500 million per year for SUNY and CUNY, thus ensuring that New York's public universities will not face devastating budget cuts like the one proposed for this year. At the University at Buffalo, the Endowment would help accelerate the UB 2020 growth initiative. Funds could support the hiring of full-time faculty members, provide scholarships for economically disadvantaged students and boost the university's growing research capacity; all goals of UB 2020 and essential components to its success.

Recently the Commission on Higher Education issued its preliminary report and offered an assessment of our public institutions that cannot be ignored. The Commission wrote, "Our public institutions face a chronic problem: too little revenue, too little investment, and too much regulation." These two programs illustrate New York's commitment to a solution of this troubling diagnosis and to the future of its students.

A fully funded 2008-2009 SUNY Capitol and Operational Budget and the Endowment for Public Higher Education will fuel the renaissance of New York's public institutions of higher education and the Western New York economy. I strongly urge you to support funding for these programs.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 18, 2008