CUNY leaders advocate for $1.57B funding to restore campus services and programs

The City of New York's Finance, Higher Education, and Government Operations Committee convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget for the City University of New York (CUNY). The meeting highlighted significant funding needs and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing student success and modernizing facilities across the university system.

Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez reported that CUNY has completed 73 capital projects over the past year, totaling $160 million in funding. Key projects included upgrades to air handling units and cooling systems at various community colleges. The Chancellor emphasized the importance of restoring $19.5 million in previously cut funding, known as PEGs (Program to Eliminate the Gap), which has adversely affected students, faculty, and staff. He expressed gratitude for the council's support in this restoration, which is seen as crucial for developing a long-term plan to enhance CUNY's student-centric mission.

The proposed budget includes a one-time allocation of $50 million for general operating support, alongside targeted funding for successful programs such as $10.1 million for ACE and Champs, $4.5 million for ASAP, and $1 million for the Brooklyn Recovery Corps. The Chancellor also noted the continuation of state funding for community colleges, which will remain at last year's levels, and the introduction of the New York Opportunity Scholarship Program to support students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields.

In terms of staffing, CUNY currently has 90 vacancies for pedagogical positions and 276 for non-pedagogical roles. The Chancellor indicated that the restoration of PEG funding would allow for the hiring of essential staff, particularly in areas like financial aid and academic advising, which are critical for student support.

The meeting also addressed the impact of federal funding cuts, with $17 million at risk due to 78 stop work orders on research grants. This situation has already affected 98 employees and poses a threat to student involvement in research projects. The Chancellor and his team are actively working to appeal these stop work orders and mitigate the impact on both staff and students.

The committee discussed the importance of maintaining a focus on the state of good repair for CUNY facilities, with a request for $150 million for the Allstate Health and Natural Science Building and $200 million for ongoing repair projects. The Chancellor reiterated the need for continued investment to ensure that CUNY's facilities meet modern educational standards.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical need for adequate funding to support CUNY's mission and the importance of collaboration between the university and city officials to secure the necessary resources for the future. The Chancellor expressed optimism about the potential for increased enrollment and the positive impact of the proposed budget on student success.