UUP Press Releases

CONTACT: Denyce Duncan Lacy or Don Feldstein at (518) 640-6600
Lacy’s cell number is (518) 265-3114

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Yorkers give SUNY high marks, again!

Albany, Jan. 16, 2004 Voters in New York continue to have great confidence in the State University of New York (SUNY), and employers say University graduates are well prepared for the workforce.

Those are some of the findings of a statewide survey of 612 registered voters commissioned by United University Professions (UUP). The survey was conducted Jan. 7 9.

According to the survey, 77 percent of the respondents had a positive impression of SUNY. The survey also found that 85 percent of those in hiring positions thought that SUNY graduates are well prepared for the job market.

These and other findings mirror the results of a similar survey conducted for UUP in January 2003.

"Once again, New Yorkers are confident in the quality of education that their public university system offers," said UUP President William E. Scheuerman. "Our graduates are trained and ready to enter the work place, and our campuses are integral to the economic well being of communities throughout the state."

Other poll results:

78 percent said SUNY is important to the local economy.
76 percent said SUNY's budget should be increased or kept the same.
67 percent said SUNY provides an excellent or good education.

In addition, 73 percent of the respondents said SUNY has a good case for increased funding, citing: a positive impression of the University's research breakthroughs (87 percent); medical education and health care services (86 percent); technology education and development (81 percent); and the need for more full time faculty (77 percent).

"These results support the case UUP has been making for years," Scheuerman said. "SUNY is a smart investment; it's an investment endorsed by New Yorkers in every corner of this state."

 

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).    

-30-