SUNY may create 65th campus

ALBANY -- The State University at New York may soon create its 65th campus, spinning its fast-growing College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering away from the University at Albany under a plan that give more control to the governor.

The proposal was obtained by The Associated Press and confirmed by two people familiar with the internal discussions. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to announce the proposal. It would have to be approved by the SUNY board of trustees, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the legislature.

The proposal comes as SUNY is trying to cut costs and calls for a two-phase approach to create a "freestanding SUNY 'specialized' college" with its own budget that would award doctoral degrees. It is also experimenting with having one president in charge of two campuses.

The move would apparently elevate Alain Kaloyeros, one of SUNY's most colorful and high-profile figures dating to the Pataki administration. As senior vice president and chief executive of the high-tech center, Kaloyeros is credited with attracting top global firms to work with the research and development center.