Griffo Asks Suny Chancellor to Hold Conference at Sunyit

GRIFFO ASKS SUNY CHANCELLOR TO COME TO MOHAWK VALLEY FOR CONFERENCE ON STRATEGIC PLAN

Stresses Region’s economic development potential

(Utica) – State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R,I,C – Rome) today announced that he has formally asked  the Chancellor of the State University of New York system to add the State Univerisity of New York Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) in Marcy, as a stop for the regional conferences designed to help plan SUNY’s direction for the next decade.

Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher last month announced a plan to begin statewide "conversations" to discuss how SUNY can be a driving force behind the state's economic revitalization. Seven of these town-hall style meetings would be held across the state. The nearest of these meetings to the 47^th Senate District would be one slated for Syracuse, with the next closest one scheduled for Delhi.

In his letter to the Chancellor, Senator Griffo asks her to include SUNYIT in the discussions surrounding SUNY’s economic development collaboration, “This region has a unique story to tell,” wrote Griffo. “Our region needs SUNY to remain a leader in this partnership and continue to provide support for our efforts to grow a new generation of jobs in our region.”

“Under Chancellor Zimpher’s leadership, the SUNY system is taking on the ambitious task of aiding in New York’s economic recovery and increasing SUNY’s capacity to better serve all New Yorkers,” said Senator Griffo. “My colleagues and I on the Senate Higher Education Committee envision the state’s colleges and unviersities sharing a bigger role in economic development while keeping with the expectation of SUNY remaining true to its goal of accessibility to a world-class education at an affordable price.”

The State University of New York system is one of the largest public university systems in the country.  Dr. Nancy Zimpher became the new Chancellor in June. After acquainting herself with  a visit to each of the system’s 64 campuses over the summer to learn about their strengths as well as their needs, Chancellor Zimpher unveiled a strategic plan proposal to prioritize areas the 64-campus SUNY system can target to help spark the state's economy. The new plan is expected to redefine its mission for the next ten years.

A copy of Senator’s Griffo’s letter Chancellor Dr. Nancy Zimpher  is attached.