Governor Announces $113M in State Funding to Increase SUNY Enrollment, College Completion Rates

Includes $60M Across SUNY with a Priority Placed on Institutions with Greatest Student Diversity; $53M for Hiring New Full-Time Faculty

The State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees has approved the criteria for allocating $113 million in direct funding from New York State in an investment that will support campus programs designed to increase services to SUNY students, bolster enrollment at SUNY institutions and support college completion rates. The funding is a part of the Governor’s and state legislators’ historic budget commitment to higher education and will help secure SUNY’s place as a global leader in higher education.

“SUNY has provided life-changing educational opportunities for countless students, and we must continue to provide the resources needed for the next generation of students seeking a world-class education,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said when she announced the approval on July 28. “With today’s approval by the SUNY Board of Trustees, we have delivered on the commitment made in the budget to revitalize the SUNY system, hire additional faculty, increase diversity among the student body, and expand the reach of our campuses to attract and retain students.”      

Included in the $113 million is $60 million to be distributed across SUNY’s campuses for investing in enrollment, academic programs, student services and operational efficiencies. Campuses receiving funding must report to SUNY System Administration how the funds will address enrollment issues, address academic program offerings, build on existing operational efficiencies while seeking new opportunities and provide essential student services. In addition, funds would be utilized to support initiatives such as microcredentialing and other programming for all learners. 

“We are grateful for the emphasis Governor Hochul has placed on higher education, enrollment, and student retention,” said Stony Brook Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Retention Dawn Medley. “Moving the needle in these areas for post-secondary credentials is crucial to the economic success of our state. As a flagship of the SUNY system, Stony Brook is uniquely positioned as a leader in social mobility and degree attainment for all students and having that recognized at all levels of state government with additional resources will help us continue this crucial work.”

The additional $53 million will be used to hire new full-time faculty. Following an analysis that primarily relied on a comparison of SUNY campuses versus other public institutions, more than 30 SUNY campuses were selected to receive this funding that will be used to support the salary and benefit costs. 

The SUNY Board of Trustees also approved an automatic application fee waiver for any high school student choosing to apply to a SUNY campus from one of the 500 New York State public high schools that have more than 75 percent of their student population eligible for free and reduced-price lunch on a three-year rolling basis. SUNY will begin promoting the fee waiver to ensure eligible students are aware of the program. The Board also voted to keep all state-operated campus tuition rates and board-based fees flat at 2021-2022 levels.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul and SUNY, a greater number of students across the state will be able to achieve their academic dreams,” said Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Judi Brown Clarke. “This is about equitable access to education and the direct funding of the myriad programs at Stony Brook that support our diverse student body. We are thrilled for the opportunity to increase our exceptional Stony Brook faculty who will enrich our inclusive campus community with their scholarship, creativity, mentorship, and service.”

“As SUNY rises to the Governor’s challenge to innovate higher education to reach all learners and support their success, we are thankful for the direct funding to help our campuses exceed in this noble work,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley. “Having a college education matters, even more so today as industries evolve, and earning a degree or credential from SUNY’s highly ranked colleges and universities sets students on a course for greater achievements. Our students’ success drives us to do more, and on behalf of our campus leaders and the excellent faculty and staff that support and inspire our students, we are excited for this opportunity.”