At the invitation of area State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, Sen. Kenneth LaValle, a Long Island Republican who has been at the helm of the State Senate committee that oversees SUNY for the past two decades, lunched with President Greiner, then held a three-hour, closed door meeting with presidents, provosts and other administrators from UB, Buffalo State, Brockport, Fredonia, Alfred Tech, Geneseo and several community colleges.

"By spending time out on the campuses I can gather a better understanding of their problems," explained LaValle. "Already I have heard plenty of good ideas to carry back with me to Albany." Campus leaders believe this will be a crucial year in the future of SUNY. A "longterm Master Plan" being drawn up by SUNY trustees should spark major debate on the future of SUNY at the next legislative session, according to LaValle.

The report, due to the legislature by Dec. 1, will examine "missions, campuses, programs and how all the pieces of the system interrelate," said LaValle. Though the report could recommend significant changes, including campus closures, LaValle said he and his colleagues in the legislature believe "there may be other ways-other than campus closings" to reformulate SUNY.