Latest news with #StateoftheUniversity
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chancellor outlines view of SUNY system
ALBANY — The State University of New York is planning for the next academic year, and Chancellor John B. King Jr. said that the system is ready to realize another year of growth, development and scholarship despite what he described as a hostile environment for academic freedom and the principles that undergird the SUNY system. In his annual 'State of the University' address in Albany on Wednesday, King said the university system is building on four 'pillars' — research, student success, economic development and diversity. King said that despite federal attacks on the premise of diversity, equity and inclusion, SUNY is doubling down on it. 'DEI is not only one of our pillars, it's in our DNA,' King said from a podium in The Egg, a theater complex attached to the state Capitol. 'Our enabling statute, written more than 75 years ago, promises that SUNY will provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population.' King said DEI is a foundational principle, guiding SUNY college curriculums, campus codes of conduct and commitments to protecting disabled and disadvantaged communities. 'DEI means continuing to make absolutely clear that there is no place for antisemitism on campuses, just as there is no place for racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or bigotry,' he said. To combat racial, religious or other bigotry, King said SUNY will start requiring all students who run clubs on campuses to undertake federal Title VI civil rights training next semester. King said SUNY will also push back on the federal push to defund research on college and university campuses — which he said has put SUNY-led research on Alzheimer's disease, cancer detection, the health effects of the 9/11 attacks and more at risk. 'We're making steady progress toward Gov. Hochul's goal to double SUNY research, with $1.2 billion in SUNY-wide sponsored research expenditures across the system,' King said. And he noted that SUNY is leading a novel approach to artificial generative intelligence research, continuing to implement a multi-billion dollar Empire AI project that will connect the SUNY University at Buffalo with the other colleges, universities and research organizations for a publicly-led AI research and development program. 'Empire AI is making it possible for SUNY researchers to help us better understand everything from antisemitism on social media to climate change,' King said. 'Binghamton University associate professor Jeremy Blackburn's work with AI aims to, in his words, 'understand jerks on the internet.' His research uses AI applications that comb massive troves of social media data to help us understand how social media is used to spread extremist ideologies.' King proudly noted that SUNY has reversed the decade-plus-long trend of dropping enrollment across its 64 campuses, a trend that has left a handful of campuses with structural deficits and has required them to make difficult downsizing plans, including at SUNY Potsdam. King noted that for the last two years, SUNY has grown enrollment in every corner of its offerings, adding students in doctoral programs, associate degree programs and every level in between. The system has not yet returned to its peak enrollment headcount from 2008, when it served 471,184 students. Total enrollment for fall 2024, the latest semester with available data, shows the system served 376,534 students. And SUNY is on track to add many more students to its community colleges next year, as the state opens up the SUNY Reconnect program meant to offer free associate degrees to full-time students ages 25 to 55, seeking a degree in an in-demand field. King said SUNY is also expanding it's 'Ten Percent Promise,' which guarantees that 10% of select high school seniors will have guaranteed admission to the competitive SUNY universities with lower acceptance rates. The system is also expanding its ASAP and ACE programs, which connect students at risk of dropping out of college with academic, financial and personal support systems. SUNY is also rolling out a pilot program to offer evening and weekend child care on community college campuses for students. Overall, King outlined a positive view of the future of the SUNY system, keeping with the policies and priorities the system has held for decades. 'I leave here filled with optimism that's grounded in our progress, our results and our strength — that not only can we meet this moment, we already are,' King said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Concert at Otsiningo Park to honor and salute veterans
OTSININGO PARK, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Broome County is saying thank you to those who serve with the help of a popular country music artist. A concert titled Broome County Salutes Our Veterans and First Responders is taking place on Friday, May 30, in the band shell at Otsiningo Park. The show is the brainchild of country singer Jason Michael Carroll, who wanted to support those people who put their lives on the line for their community after hearing about the tragic death of Binghamton firefighter JR Gaudet earlier this year. Tickets will be a very reasonable $10 and will be free for veterans, active duty military, first responders, and nurses. Spiedie Fest is organizing the event. Coordinator Dave Pessagno says Carroll is himself a Marine Corps veteran, who previously played at Spiedie Fest and often hunts in the Norwich area. 'He is a great guy, does a ton for vets. He'll be out talking to all of the veterans, our first responders. He cares a lot about this community, he cares about veterans, he goes overseas to perform. That's been his mission,' Pessagno said. Otsiningo Park will close to the public next Friday evening. Opening for Carroll will be a veritable all-star lineup of local acts: singer-songwriter Jared Campbell, popular cover band Wreckless Marci and former Voice contestant Alyssa Crosby who will also serve as emcee. The concert will also feature food trucks and beer tents and the Binghamton Vet Center will have information about the services it provides. Both the free tickets for vets and first responders and the $10 tickets are available at the Arena box office or at the gate. Gates open at 5:30 with the concert starting at 6:00. There's more information at Village could use eminent domain on Pope Leo XIV's childhood home, attorney says SUNY Leaders outline priorities in State of the University Address Zeldin slams Whitehouse in heated exchange: Americans 'put President Trump in office because of people like you' Trump confronts South African president over claims of 'white genocide' Mace files resolution to expel McIver over ICE assault charges Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
With funding under fire from Trump administration, UMass president says climate research is key
As he celebrates his tenth year running the University of Massachusetts system, President Marty Meehan has survival on his mind and is looking at climate research. "I think that we've seen the federal government kind of letting up on our climate goals that we have set out as a country. And I think you're seeing across the country that states are stepping up," says Meehan in an interview on WBZ's "Keller At Large." Higher education struggling With university research funding under fire from the White House and higher education in general struggling through a period of economic decline, Meehan is betting that UMass can survive and prosper by aligning its focus with the legislature's recent funding commitment to climate tech research and development. In a recent "State of the University" speech, Meehan pointed to research already underway at campuses including UMass Dartmouth (on sustainable fishers), UMass Amherst (water treatment technologies) and UMass Boston (protecting coastlines from damage) as examples of how the university can leverage state and private-sector investment into good jobs for students and an academic future safe from budgetary erosion at the federal level. Marty Meehan on climate research "There is a significant business that has developed as a result of [climate change], UMass educates the workforce of Massachusetts. We need to train people to get them the skills they need to work in this sector," he says. Meehan also discussed diversity on campus, the safety of foreign students, and dealing with anti-Semitic and anti-Palestinian behaviors. You can watch the entire interview on-demand right here, and join us for interviews with top local newsmakers every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on the weekend edition of "Keller At Large."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
UTPB hosts second annual ‘State of the University' event
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The University of Texas Permian Basin recently hosted its second annual 'State of the University' at the Odessa Country Club. The event brought students, faculty, and community members together to celebrate the university's accomplishments. Officials also shared visions for the future. 'While we've had almost a 40% increase in graduates out here, we have to really accelerate that pace because we know we need 38,000 more graduates out here over the next 20 years,' said UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley. 'So it was wonderful to come together and see everyone in the community that supports this university sitting and mingling with our students and our student athletes and our faculty, as well as our amazing staff who really work hard every day to deliver on that mission.' The State of the University also featured guest speakers, such as professors and students, who spoke about what the university has done for them. 'It's a great group of students who work really hard, and most of our students have to work to finish school. It takes them longer than four years, and that's okay; it's not a failure for them,' said Dr. Woodley. 'They find their way to be successful here. And we are here to celebrate the support the university has for that kind of student who will walk across the stage in just a few short weeks and get their diploma here.' Dr. Woodley shared details about some renovations that are coming to UTPB's campus: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Woodley offers future vision for UTPB
Apr. 9—Economic impact, filling workforce needs and future plans for UTPB were just a few of the items highlighted at the second annual State of the University Wednesday at the Odessa Country Club. Panels included Impacting Workforce Impacting Energy and Innovation topped off by remarks from UTPB President Sandra Woodley on the university's vision for the future. Woodley said UTPB has had a 39 percent increase in graduates since 2016 and "we need that curve to get event steeper." She added that 24% of all the jobs in the Permian Basin are linked to "one of our graduates and the businesses that they create." Over the past 50 years, UTPB has graduated more than 30,000 students. But as economist Ray Perryman has noted, "we need 38,000 more ... baccalaureate graduates just in the next 20 years," Woodley said. "... Enrollment is an important part of what we do, but we don't focus on head count ...," added Woodley, who has been president of UTPB for eight years. She added that the university has changed its program mix during that time focusing less on dual credit students and more on growing their freshman class and transfer students who will come to UTPB to graduate. "... Those are the strategies that allow us to be successful. We've increased the student tuition revenue by 100% in the past eight years by having that strategy to focus on graduation and less on head count. ... We're not a major research institution, but we care about research that matters in this community ... that applied research. We've had $73 million worth of the research and grant activity just over the past five years and $4 million in research expenditures. That work is important to this community, and that $4.1 million is 100% increase ... since 2020. We're excited about the research and innovation part of what we do as well," Woodley said. Woodley told audience members they support UTPB's mission. Since 2018, the university has raised about $73 million. Last year, the scholarship ball netted $500,000, Woodley said. This year's ball will be Oct. 23. "That is how we get the graduates into the community, and our goal this year is to have $1 million in scholarships in that ball," Woodley said. They also have a $1 million goal for the Champions Fund and they are already at $800,000, Woodley said. They had 159 student-athletes named to the honor roll. UTPB also has a $68 million endowment and Woodley said that is growing. Woodley noted the attractions on campus like the Bright Star Memorial, new signage, renovation of the Mesa Building, new entrances, a completely renovated quad with art, a performance space, a fire pit and water features. "It will not only be for our students and faculty, but we want the community to feel welcome to come onto our campus ... Prospective students make a decision about a place that they want to be in ... a few minutes of looking around our campus. The quality of our space and the functionality of our space is important for us to be able to achieve (those) 38,000 graduates ...," Woodley said. There is also a two-ton stainless steel falcon waiting to be unveiled when they get the quad completed. Woodley said they also have plans for the Midland campus which has the engineering building, the music program, Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center and CEED Building. Plans for that campus include adding on to the WNPAC, an outdoor amphitheater and building a second engineering building. The CEED Building has been renovated and includes advanced manufacturing, water energy research, labs, a business incubator and small business development center. This gives UTPB a chance to connect everything in that corner to "what is going to be an amazing asset in our community over the next 10 to 15 years," Woodley said. Conceptual plans for this have been completed and Woodley said they will be working to identify partners. There will be an innovation center building that could possibly house University Lands, a Permian Strategic Partnership office, workforce training and academic spaces to name a few.
