Chancellor delivers 1st 'state of SUNY'

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, in the first "State of the University" address, pledged Wednesday to streamline backroom operations, create jobs and revenue streams with public-private partnerships, and make campuses compete for state dollars as an incentive for improvements.

Zimpher answered Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address two weeks ago, in which he called for higher education to be "the key economic driver" in the state.

"Governor, SUNY is up to the challenge," Zimpher said.

Speaking in Albany, Zimpher said the state's university system could create some 40,000 jobs in the next five years, half through technology incubators and the rest in construction.

But she said the State Legislature must "unshackle SUNY from overregulation," which she said hampers the system's 64 campuses from partnering with businesses and procuring goods and services.

Starting in July, Zimpher said, SUNY will distribute state aid at its 29 four-year institutions based on benchmarks, including research awards, student retention, diversity of students and faculty, and programs addressing workforce shortages and the needs of emerging industries.

Stony Brook University president Samuel L. Stanley Jr. applauded the idea of competition: "We like a meritocracy."

While Stanley said it was too soon to say how Stony Brook would fare in the contest, members of the Stony Brook Council said the school would benefit given its research programs and high student retention.

Farmingdale State College president Hubert Keen also was optimistic, noting his school had doubled its research grants in the past two years.

SUNY Old Westbury president Calvin O. Butts III noted his school's diverse student body but acknowledged the school needs to make improvements in other areas. "I do not think we will be penalized," he said. "I have faith in my colleagues that whatever criteria that is used will be fair."

Zimpher Wednesday also called for a "responsible and predictable" tuition policy.

SUNY officials for years have lobbied for modest annual tuition increases rather than irregular spikes in tuition. They also have said that the system's four university centers, including Stony Brook, should be allowed to charge more than other SUNY schools.

State Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson), chairman of the Senate's Higher Education Committee, said Wednesday he had not taken a position on SUNY tuition increases but sounded a skeptical note.

"I think, in a bad economy, that becomes problematic," he said, adding he would present it to committee members soon.

With Michael Amon