Enacts the "Stony Brook university quality higher education and economic development act"

6 Co-sponsors

• John J. Flanagan
• Brian X. Foley
• Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.
• Kemp Hannon
• Owen H. Johnson
• Dean G. Skelos

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law and the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing increased flexibility for the State University of New York at Stony Brook (Part A); to amend the education law, in relation to the use of State University of New York at Stony Brook property (Part B); to amend the education law, the state finance law and the tax law, in relation to the ability of the state university trustees to purchase items and enter into contracts and agreements (Part C); to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation to the distribution of money received from various sources related to the State University of New York at Stony Brook (Part D); and to amend the education law, in relation to providing that certain lease of the State University of New York at Stony Brook need not be submitted to the attorney general for his or her approval (Part E)

Purpose

To permit Stony Brook University to have the autonomy and flexibility to best utilize its resources to maintain its position as an exceptional academic institution and to serve the community and Long Island Region with Research and Development in bio technology and high technology that will result in economic growth and development. This act shall be known as "The Stony Brook University Quality Higher Education and Economic Development Act."

Summary of provisions

This bill provides that Stony Brook University would be funded through a process by which the Stony Brook Council would assess the needs of the University and apply for the revenues required to meet its objectives. Those revenues would be provided subject to SUNY Board approval. The bill also would give the University greater flexibility in purchasing, financing, constructions of campus facilities, acquisition of property, leasing of facilities and participation in public-private partnerships.

Justification

Stony Brook University, since its inception, has been a premier academic facility educating students in a number of curricula both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Stony Brook, as a university center, has burgeoned into a complex institution encompassing a medical center and research facilities in bio-technology and high technology.

The University has centers of excellence, incubators, and other facilities which utilize its research component to partner with local businesses to enhance existing industry and foster new start-up companies. These efforts provide for high quality jobs on Long Island and attracts the best and brightest to the region.

The University employs nearly 14,000 men and women with a total operating budget of $1.77 billion. Its economic development programs bring in $59.4 million in economic revenue. In total, Stony Brook University's impact on the Long Island economy amounts to $4.65 billion in increased output (gross region domestic product) and almost 60,000 jobs.

In order to effectively continue its record of achievement and maintain its national competitiveness, Stony Brook must have the freedom to budget independently and manage the operations of the university, medical center and research facilities including Brookhaven National Laboratory with as much autonomy as possible. Given its local and regional influence, it must also have the ability to work with other colleges, universities, research institutions, and

businesses in the area to help advance its mission and stimulate the Long Island economy.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.