Greiner Praises SUNY Trustees’ Budget Proposal

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- UB President William R. Greiner today hailed the proposed 2001-02 fiscal year operating budget for the State University of New York approved in a resolution passed today by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

The proposal from the trustees to Gov. Pataki would increase SUNY's core operating budget by $81.8 million, or 4.6 percent, to $1,843.6 million.

In addition, the trustees requested $50 million in additional funding to enhance academic quality across all campuses for purposes that could include increasing faculty hiring and salaries, technology enhancement, and promotion of economic and workforce development.

The governor will consider SUNY's request in preparing his executive budget, which is due to the state Legislature in mid-January.

The 2001-02 operating budget proposed by the SUNY trustees represents a plan to invest in the system.

"We are very pleased with the SUNY budget proposal," said Greiner. "This is a 'growth' budget and very welcome, indeed, coming after a decade of very challenging budgets for SUNY.

Greiner added, "This provides funds that would enable UB to significantly enhance academic quality, making it possible for us to hire outstanding new junior faculty and distinguished senior faculty, and continue the technology initiatives that have helped us to attain national prominence in supercomputing and computational science.

"All in all, the proposed budget would greatly benefit UB's students, faculty, and staff -- and enhance the State University of New York's position as one of the nation's leading public university systems. We strongly support the proposal, and hope the proposed funding will be included in Governor Pataki's executive budget proposal."