The leadership of the United University Professions (UUP) has given a thumbs up to New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul, regarding her proposed $114 million in new operating aid for the State University of New York’s (SUNY) state-operated college and university institutions.

Hochul released her proposed executive budget, which comes with a $252 billion price tag attached to it earlier this month.

“We are grateful to the governor for once again increasing operating aid for SUNY campuses, especially since 17 are still beleaguered with budget deficits that were exacerbated by years of underfunding and the jolt of the pandemic,” said UUP President Frederick E. Kowal. “The SUNY Board of Trustees, which has twice chosen to leave those campuses in financial distress and will have a third chance to wipe out those deficits with this important state aid increase to SUNY.”

However, the monetary aid comes after SUNY Fredonia, in an effort to cut operating costs, axed several degree programs, in 2023, and cut funding to other institutional offerings as part of a rightsizing effort. At that time, the cut programs represented 15% of all Fredonia majors, with a total enrollment of 74 students — just 2% of all the school’s undergraduate body.

Echoing Kowal’s statement, SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., wrote in an official press release that, “SUNY is on the move, and we are thankful to Governor Hochul for her steadfast commitment and historic investments in SUNY’s students and extraordinary faculty and staff,” he said. “The $114 million proposed operating increase for our state-operated campuses will ensure we continue to support our students and attract and retain top faculty and staff as we deliver on our promise of academic excellence and affordability.”

However, as reported in a Jan. 23 Post-Journal story, not all political leaders are happy with Hochul’s proposed budget.

State Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, said “It’s almost as if New York Democrats are trying to be more irresponsible than Washington Democrats when it comes to spending, ” he said. “This is what happens when you think throwing money at a problem is your only solution. I’ve seen budget mismanagement at the federal level, but it’s almost as if New York Democrats are trying to outdo the incompetence of Washington Democrats.”

UUP, is the nation’s largest higher education union, representing the faculty and professional staff of the SUNY system (referred to as professional faculty in contracts). This encompasses the 29 comprehensive, technical, specialized and university centers of SUNY. The 29 campuses are broken into 32 chapters. More information can be found at uupinfo.org.