Assemb. Thiele demands Stony Brook president's firing

Decrying a "failed budget strategy," Assemb. Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) Monday called for Stony Brook University's president to step down - a demand countered by a vigorous defense by the foundation that raises money for the school.

Thiele blasted Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr. for supporting legislation that would have allowed Stony Brook and other SUNY campuses to determine tuition increases on their own, ending Albany's role in setting the price of a public education. Thiele also said Stanley's decision to close most of Stony Brook's Southampton campus "wasted a $78 million investment for phantom savings that will never be realized."

Stanley and university spokeswoman Lauren Sheprow declined to respond to the attacks. But Thiele's comments drew a strong reaction from Rich Gelfond, chief executive of the Imax Corp., who also volunteers as chairman of the Stony Brook Foundation, which raises money for the university.

"Sam Stanley has done an outstanding job in the face of devastating budget cuts in maintaining the quality of education at Stony Brook and enhancing its reputation," said Gelfond, who earned his bachelor's degree at the school in 1976. This year he donated $1 million so that researchers can investigate the effects of high mercury levels in humans.

Gelfond, who owns a home in Southampton, said he was saddened when Stanley called to say Stony Brook would shutter most of the Southampton campus this summer. In the past four years, the university spent $78 million to acquire the site and update buildings. Stanley became Stony Brook's fifth president on July 1, 2009.

"The role of a leader is to make difficult choices," Gelfond said. He said criticism about cuts at Stony Brook are "disingenuous" when coming from a member of the state Assembly, given its role in this year's dysfunctional budget process.

In an interview, Thiele responded that he supported increasing state funds to SUNY, but the university instead "hired lobbyists and put everything into the ill-considered plan" to have more autonomy.

Stanley, along with other local SUNY presidents and Gov. David A. Paterson, had supported legislation that would have given campuses more freedom to set their own tuitions and form partnerships with local businesses. The legislation ensured an increase in grants available to help low-income students cope with the higher tuitions.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher issued a statement saying Thiele's comments "are totally off the mark" and calling Stanley "a true and dedicated leader."