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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Poll shows New Yorkers confident in SUNY

Albany, Jan. 27, 2003 -- New Yorkers continue to give the State University of New York (SUNY) high marks and are confident that its graduates are well prepared for the workforce, according to a survey commissioned by United University Professions (UUP).

The poll also found that an overwhelming number of New York residents realize the importance of a SUNY campus to their local economy.

"The results reinforce what we've known all along," said UUP President William E. Scheuerman. "New Yorkers are happy with the job SUNY does and recognize it as a valuable tool in economic development."

The survey, of 607 likely voters from throughout New York state, was conducted Jan. 7-9.

Dozens of UUP members will discuss the poll results with state lawmakers and their staffs during the union's annual Legislative Luncheon, noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesday in The Well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Among the legislative leaders and other elected officials expected to address the UUP activists are Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Kenneth LaValle.

"We'll be showing our state legislators that, not only is there public support for SUNY, but that there's a strong realization the University is good for the economy," Scheuerman said. "With the current fiscal crisis, New York needs SUNY, now more than ever."

More than 76 percent of those polled said they had a very positive or positive impression of SUNY. That figure is nearly identical to the result of a similar survey question asked by UUP in January 2002.

Other poll results:

71.9 percent said SUNY does an excellent or good job in educating the state workforce

75.8 percent of employers or those in hiring positions said they were confident that SUNY graduates are well prepared for the job.

79 percent said the SUNY college in their community is important to the local economy.

In addition, respondents cited various reasons for protecting SUNY from harmful budget cuts, including:

cutting-edge research (87.9 percent);

high-quality health care and medical education (85.8 percent);

technology development and technology education (83.7 p ercent);

need for more full-time faculty (75 percent);

New York's economic recovery (73.8 percent); and

higher education for the state's high school graduates (68.5 percent).

"When considering these and other issues, 74.1 percent of survey respondents thought that a strong case was made for protecting SUNY from budget cuts," Scheuerman said. "UUP will carry that message to the Capitol on Tuesday and throughout this legislative session. The public knows -- SUNY is a good investment."

 

UUP represents more then 34,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 New York State-operated campuses, and is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).    

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