A Message from President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., MD
Re: Learn more about the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act
To All Faculty, Staff and Students,
As we start a new semester at Stony Brook University there is much excitement over the recent announcement of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act in the Governor's State Budget proposal. I have received many questions about the initiative and how the campus community can become involved in its passage. In response, Stony Brook has established a web page devoted entirely to the Act. I encourage you to visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of the web site to learn more about the proposal at www.stonybrook.edu/innovation and to join our efforts in supporting it.
Legislative passage of this initiative is imperative. SUNY has experienced annual reductions in State support year after year, and that trend is not likely to reverse. This year, the budget proposal would reduce State support for the 64-campus SUNY system by $149 million. Stony Brook's share of that is estimated to be $15 million, which will bring us to over $55 million in cuts since 08/09. We absolutely must find other ways to support our campus.
In the coming months, the State Legislature will analyze the Governor's budget proposal. Legislative support for this proposal is absolutely necessary if we are to achieve excellence as a Research University. Now is the time to recognize what Stony Brook means to our students, our community, and to the economies of Long Island and New York State. The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act presents the opportunity for us to lead in economic revitalization and ground breaking research.
I strongly support this initiative and I hope you will too. Please take the time to visit our web site to go to www.stonybrook.edu/innovation and find out how you can get involved.
Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., M.D. President
View Dr. Stanley's inaugural address »