Governor Hochul’s budget proposal to help the SUNY system
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Executive budget proposed by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, attempts to improve on attracting prospective students.
As college costs continue to rise and many students believe that their education is becoming too costly, the 2025-26 fiscal year executive budget proposed by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul attempts to improve upon attracting prospective students. The proposal, announced on Jan. 21, 2025, seeks to help average New York citizens increase their quality of life and help thousands of college students within the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York systems (CUNY).
The budget proposal projects around $252 billion for the entire state. It has dedicated goals to include heightened support towards various facets involved within the SUNY and CUNY systems for their continued operation. This will comprise $1.3 billion for capital funding, such as advanced lab facilities and research opportunities, $1 billion for converting clean energy on campuses, and over $800 million in continuous upkeep and advancement towards the SUNY-run hospital facilities.
One of Governor Hochul’s proposals for the college system as a whole is also attracting attention for its generosity towards citizens not attending college currently. The state plans to offer free community college for New York citizens aged 25-55 without a currently held college degree to increase employment in incoming high-demand fields. This initiative will allow older students to not worry about tuition, book, or even fee costs, allowing higher education access to those who might not have had a previous chance.
The recognition of the importance of higher education and its students is not lost on college officials. The United University Professions organization, which consists of the staff and faculty of the SUNY system across 29 campuses, has shown high praise for Hochul's proposal.
Chancellor John King of the SUNY system also applauds Governor Hochuls for increased funding, but there is still work to be done to solve some of the problems plaguing the state’s campuses.
King has remarked that the budget increase, such as for capital funding, is “a start.” King also told Spectrum News 1 that even with specific resource allotments, this is only the beginning, and there are still much-needed building upgrades, such as the Central New York medical facility. King stated, “That’s a $450 million project, but it will take multiple years to get there so that we will continue our conversation with the governor and the legislature.”
While SUNY enrollment has increased by 2.3% since Fall 2024, some campus programs have not shared the same fate. Most notably, SUNY Fredonia and Potsdam had to cut over 13 majors due to the school’s stretched budgets, respectively.
Alongside the praise, there has also been political opposition against the proposed budget, such as from New York Assemblymember Robert Smullen. He commented that he disagrees with the spending the state will commence with. Instead, he feels the SUNY system is facing problems because of declining enrollment. “What we have to do is put policies in effect in New York that make people want to stay in New York, raise their family in New York, and develop the economy,” Smullen reports.
While the proposed budget has only been introduced recently, near the end of January 2025, the New York state government anticipates swiftly implementing the changes and providing financial support for all benefiting residents.