Authorizes the lease of lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase to provide faculty and staff housing

BILL NUMBER:S3480

Title of bill

An act to authorize the lease of lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase

Purpose or general idea of bill

To authorize the trustees of the state university of New York to lease lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase to the Purchase College Advancement Corporation (PCAC), a not-for-profit corporation, in support of faculty and staff housing on the grounds of the state university of New York at Purchase.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the legislation sets forth legislative findings that the lease of lands located at the state university of New York at Purchase for the development of faculty and staff housing is appropriate to further the objectives and purposes of the state university of New York.

Sections 2 through 17 authorize the trustees of the state university of New York to lease such land for such purposes without public bidding to the PCAC; provide for reversion of the land and improvements to the state university of New York under the conditions set forth therein; provide for the terms and conditions of implementing certain agreements; and provide a description of the property which is the subject of the legislation.

Section 18 of the bill provides an immediate effective date.

Justification

The legislation authorizes the trustees of the state university of New York to lease to the Purchase College Advancement Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation, approximately 14 acres and improvements located on the campus of the state university of New York at Purchase (also known as Purchase College). Purchase College has become highly residential, with over 2,700 of an approximately 4,000 total student population presently living on the campus. However, Purchase College is situated in an area near Greenwich, Connecticut with extremely expensive homes and is also located within the village of Purchase, which is one of the most expensive residential areas of Westchester County. Consequently, faculty and staff cannot afford to live in the surrounding area and there is no housing available for them on the campus itself. As Purchase College has become more residential in nature, there is an increasing need to provide reasonable rental housing so that the college's faculty and staff can live in closer proximity to the residential college which houses the student population. Learning communities, advisors,

mentors and the intergenerational benefits of faculty with families living on the campus are needed to enhance th e present Purchase College environment. This bill would facilitate such an enhanced environment by permitting Purchase College to rent such facilities to faculty and staff in accordance with state university regulations.

Prior legislative history

S.5520 of 2009-2010

Fiscal implications

None noted.

Effective date

Immediately.