FY2025 NYS Budget and SUNY Funding Updates
June 20, 2024
Dear Stony Brook Community,
Following review of the 2024-25 New York State budget approved in April and recent actions taken by the SUNY Board of Trustees, I would describe this year as an outstanding one for state support that will allow Stony Brook to continue investing in its flagship future. This spring, our vice presidents presented their strategic investment requests to the Stony Brook executive team, and now with a clearer understanding of the available state and federal resources, allocations for the coming academic year are being made. In advance of those decisions that will be announced later this summer, I’m pleased to share the following highlights:
Operating Aid — for the second year in a row, SUNY received a significant increase in operating aid ($114 million), which was in part the result of Stony Brook’s focused advocacy. To stay ahead of the market, recruitment activities for faculty lines have already been approved, with hiring actions pending available funding. It is our expectation that Stony Brook will receive $23.2 million in new funding from SUNY to support faculty and staff activities, which is in addition to the new funding that was added to last year’s allocation. In addition to supporting key strategic investments, these funds will help in mitigating some of the inflationary costs that have built up over the past few years and led to cuts and deficits across the university.
Capital Funding — SUNY will receive $160 million in new, flexible capital that can be used to support critical maintenance repairs, renovate existing buildings or build new ones. Stony Brook has already received $65 million in capital funding for the 2024-25 fiscal year, including $8 million to improve accessibility and ADA compliance on campus. The SUNY Board recently approved an additional $10 million to support clean energy-related expenses for the multidisciplinary engineering and neuro AI facility construction, which was an unexpected and greatly appreciated indication of their support for our work.
An additional $100 million request to support eligible capital projects has been submitted and is under review. As Stony Brook spends down its allocation and new priorities emerge, ongoing advocacy will continue for more capital support. Additionally, Stony Brook is also now fully authorized to spend the $100 million in capital for research infrastructure that was authorized last year, and projects are in various stages of planning, design, construction and procurement.
Fee Increases —Stony Brook has been advocating for additional support to address academic enterprise needs, and the SUNY Board recently voted on two increases. The first is an increase to the Academic Excellence Fee by $100, which will be applied to non-Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award students. There will also be moderate increases in our broad-based service fees that support IT infrastructure, transportation needs, student affairs, and athletics.
Healthcare – the state budget restored $150 million in capital funding and covered debt service payments at the three SUNY Hospitals. This means that Stony Brook University Hospital will receive an additional $50 million in capital support and will have financial savings of over $25 million this fiscal year. Continued funding of $1 million for the Stony Brook Cancer Center will advance progress toward National Cancer Institute-designation status.
We are grateful for the support of our state leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, the entire Long Island delegation, and SUNY Chancellor John King. Stony Brook also experienced a very positive outcome for this year’s federal budget cycle including $30M in appropriations funding for SBU-specific research projects and an additional $1 million in congressionally directed spending, secured by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Their support and that from other members of the New York congressional delegation is greatly appreciated. Funding from our state and federal partners illustrates their belief in Stony Brook’s flagship promise — and its unique needs — ending the fiscal year later this month on a positive note.
June also marks the conclusion of my role as Stony Brook’s president. It has been an honor to work in partnership with this campus community to meet our mission and accomplish so much more. As you work together to deliver New York the truly great flagship that it deserves, I am confident Stony Brook is poised to deliver on that promise because of each of you.
My very best wishes to you always.
With deepest appreciation,
Maurie McInnis
President