2020-21 New York State Executive Budget

• Approximately $56.4 million in state tax support for the University at Albany (similar to last year’s level). The SUNY system would receive $708 million in direct state tax support, similar to last year.
• A continuation and extension of the 2017-18 restoration of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and Predictable Tuition Plan through 2024/25.
• System-wide, SUNY institutions will spend $82 million to cover the TAP tuition gap (the gap between what the state pays for TAP and the actual cost of tuition). UAlbany's TAP gap is $6.1 million.
• Tuition revenue was held flat for state-operated campuses at 2019-20 levels and is expected to sufficiently accommodate a maximum $200/year increase to resident undergraduate tuition rates and increases to other tuition rates as planned. 
• A reappropriation* in capital funding for the development of the new College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity; $15 million was originally appropriated in the 2014-15 Enacted Budget.
• A reappropriation for the NYSTAR Center of Excellence in Atmospheric and Environmental Prediction and Innovation at the University at Albany; $250,000 was originally appropriated in the 2015-16 Enacted Budget.
• $1.24 million for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University at Albany (CARD Albany), which brings research and practice together in community settings.
• Level funding of $235,000 for Just for the Kids (Know Your Schools-for NY Kids) within the School of Education, the only New York-focused, evidenced-based school improvement program in the State that compares the performance of equally-resourced and similarly challenged schools.
• Level funding of $261,600 for the Public Health Management Leaders of Tomorrow program (PHLOT), established in 2006, which strengthens the public health infrastructure across New York State.
• Level funding of $32,000 for Public Health Live, a monthly webcast series designed to provide continuing education opportunities on public health issues.
• Funding of $100,000 for the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society for the Immigrant Integration Index.
• $18 million to be allocated according to a plan by the SUNY Board of Trustees (SUNY Performance and Investment Fund).
• Full support of State-operated campus employee benefits and bonded capital costs (exclusive of campus supported NYSUNY 2020 bonded appropriations.
• Funding of $5.6 million SUNY-wide to support retroactive salary payments.
• The enhanced implementation of the Excelsior Scholarship Program, with annual family taxable income eligibility increasing to $135,000 in 2020/21 and $150,000 in 2021/22. Last fall, UAlbany had more than 1,400 students receiving a full Excelsior award.
• Language is included which amends the Infrastructure Investment Act to include the State University Construction fund as an authorized entity to enter into design-build contracts for projects of a certain dollar value, and subject to project labor agreements.

*A reappropriation is a legislative enactment that continues any undisbursed balance of an appropriation that would otherwise lapse. It allows the program to keep money that was set aside in previous years but not spent. 

• Since the Governor established the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) in 2015, enrollment has grown exponentially – as of early February, there are over 640 declared majors in the undergraduate major in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (launched in August 2016) and almost 400 declared majors in the undergraduate major in Informatics, the only fully online major at the University. Last fall, US Senator Chuck Schumer announced a major push for the creation of a cyber-education pilot program, that once launched, would provide funding to build a pipeline between community colleges and four-year universities in the state, preparing students for jobs in this high-demand, growing industry. This initiative was included in the final FY20 federal budget. The College, in partnership with SUNY’s community colleges, is ready to meet this challenge.
  
  
• Construction of the ETEC building is progressing very well. The building envelope is being completed this spring and interior walls, HVAC, and finishes are being phased in this 246,000 square foot building. The signature construction project in UAlbany’s NYSUNY 2020 plan, sustainability and energy efficiency are key component of the design. Features such as geothermal heating and cooling, daylighting, and high efficiency mechanical systems are on track to make this project eligible for LEED Platinum status. Occupancy is anticipated in summer 2021. ETEC will be home to the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC), the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (DAES), the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC), the New York State Mesonet, and the University’s Environmental and Sustainable Engineering programs along with private partners, business development functions and instructional and research programs in Chemistry.