NYSUNY2020

In June, the New York State Legislature passed Governor Cuomo's NYSUNY 2020 legislation.  While not exactly UB2020, the legislation does give UB the opportunity to move forward with their plan for economic development in Western New York.  In the short term, this legislation begins the process of moving the medical school to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.  Perhaps more importantly, over the long term NYSUNY 2020 provides the University cost certainty in determining future budgets, including investments in infrastructure and personnel.  NYSUNY 2020 establishes a new model for investing in public higher education in New York State. 

One of the main components of NYSUNY 2020 is the ability to establish a rational tuition policy for all of SUNY's campuses - not just the University at Buffalo.  This will allow for a fair, predictable and responsible tuition policy for all students of the SUNY system while insulating SUNY schools from state funding cuts.  The freedom to set tuition rates will allow the University to continue the plan put in place through UB 2020, including increasing programs and degrees which will attract new students to the campus, resulting in the need for more faculty and staff.  All of which will contribute to the region's economic development and growth.

NYSUNY 2020 will also give the University the ability to move the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to the downtown medical campus, continuing the revitalization and development of the City's urban core. The relocation of the medical school facility will allow collaboration between the University and other leading regional health care organizations such as Kaleida Health.  This will only further improve the quality of care provided as well as produce groundbreaking medical research and continue the economic growth of the region's research and development programs. 

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce will continue to support all efforts to advance the goals of UB2020, and now NYSUNY 2020.  As we look to expand beyond the region's history of serving as a hub for manufacturing, UB2020 and NYSUNY 2020 serve as a blueprint for future economic stimulation in the region.  The realization of this project will have a lasting economic effect on all of Western New York.