Democratic lawmakers who represent the Capital Region urged Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday to include State University of New York campuses in Albany and Binghamton to be given “flagship” designation alongside schools in Buffalo and Stony Brook.
The letter from state Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, Assemblyman John McDonald and Sen. Neil Breslin comes after Hochul’s proposed budget this week designated the University at Buffalo and Stony Brooky University as flagship schools in the public higher education system.
“While the details of this proposed designation may still be under discussion, the outlines of the proposal suggest that UAlbany could be put at a great disadvantage in terms of the kinds of funding and flexibility — and the resulting enrollment and research increases—that would be provided only to the flagships,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
Hochul is undertaking a series of changes to the SUNY system, which include folding the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering back into the University at Albany, a change that is backed by the lawmakers.
But the designation of flagship status could further expand opportunities for students at these schools, all designated as university centers and Carnegie R1 research institutions.
“All are deeply engaged in academic and research activities that serve communities across New York and across the globe. While the details of this proposed designation may still be under discussion, the outlines of the proposal suggest that UAlbany could be put at a great disadvantage in terms of the kinds of funding and flexibility—and the resulting enrollment and research increases—that would be provided only to the flagships,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Part of the power of SUNY rests in the geographic coverage and differentiation of its four Carnegie R1 research institutions, and such a hierarchy would upset this important balance.”
