State budget boosts UB’s flagship status, Top 25 ambitions

President Satish K. Tripathi thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers for finalizing a new state budget that supports UB’s role as New York State’s flagship university and ambitions to be one of the top 25 public research universities in the nation by growing the depth and breadth of its research and providing extraordinary educational experiences to its students.

“On behalf of the University at Buffalo, I would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul, the members of the Western New York delegation and legislative leaders for their support of SUNY and for the University at Buffalo, SUNY’s flagship university,” Tripathi said.

“With the governor's support, UB is positioned well to fulfill our promise as one of our nation’s very best public universities,” he said.

The state budget includes:

• Operating aid increases. The budget provides $163 million in new general operating aid for academic, student service and enrollment programs, as well as a $75 million Transformational Innovation Fund to be shared among SUNY campuses, including UB. The university will invest those resources in academic, student success and research priorities.
• Flagship funding. UB will receive $100 million in capital funding to invest in the governor’s vision for UB as the state’s flagship, so the benefits of UB’s research, clinical care and education can be extended throughout the region, state, nation and world.  
• Funding for a matching endowment. The budget establishes a state-matching fund for endowment contributions to UB, as well as the other three SUNY centers, Stony Brook, Albany and Binghamton. The state would contribute up to $500 million by granting $1 for every $2 contributed to university endowments.
• Some $650 million for critical maintenance projects on SUNY campuses, including UB.
• Flexibility for SUNY to set differential tuition rates for students from out of state and abroad for a three-year period.

“This year’s budget is an investment in UB’s academic and research innovation, which will also expand student access, student success and opportunity,” the president said. “We believe that innovation, plus opportunity, is key to driving sustained economic development and prosperity across our Western New York region and the state.”