To the Editor:

The State University of New York has been investing in students for generations, creating unparalleled opportunities for personal success and sustained economic growth. With increased investment from the State, SUNY can do even more.

According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, college graduates make more money, are more likely to be employed and are less likely to live in poverty than high school graduates who didn’t attend college. On average, people 25-32 years old with a bachelor’s degree or more have a median income of $45,500, compared to only $28,000 for high school graduates. The unemployment rate is 3.8 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree, compared to 12.2 percent for high school graduates.

These numbers show that going to college is more important than ever. SUNY Canton and SUNY’s 63 other campuses make it affordable, too. SUNY has among the lowest tuitions anywhere in the country – just over $6,000 per year. SUNY ensures that each and every New Yorker has access to a high-quality, low-cost education. This is summed up in the “SUNY equation”: Access + Completion = Success.

SUNY has consistently done more for its students and has done so in a cost-effective manner. With increased investment, SUNY is committed to tripling the number of college graduates by 2020. At SUNY Canton, more students will graduate from our career-based majors and enter the workforce ready to hit the ground running, adding value to their companies from day one. Over 37 percent of people in the North Country are SUNY students, employees, or alumni, contributing $600 million to our communities and sustaining our economy. Our alumni, many of whom have risen to very high positions, all tell me that their success started at SUNY Canton. By coming here, they learned that they were capable of achieving more than they ever thought possible.

Our commitment to access, completion, and success will never change. Our ability to continue to grow and give our students the very best education depends on increased State investment. We will offer new, innovative, hands-on programs that build on the strengths of our region. We will provide students from all backgrounds the tools they need to progress from the first day of class to graduation, careers, and beyond. We are committed to doing more and doing it better than ever before. Let the members of the State Assembly and Senate know that you support increased State investment in SUNY for the sake of New York’s most valuable assets: our students and our future.

Dr. Zvi Szafran

SUNY Canton President