POTSDAM -- As college councils and lead administrators for SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam meet with SUNY officials at a Potsdam restaurant today, Sen. Patty Ritchie is emphasizing that she wants plans for shared services to proceed but not at the expense of one college or the other.

SUNY Provost David Lavallee is to meet with college officials at 1844 House today to discuss advancing plans for the two local state colleges to find ways to share services and resources.

An announcement regarding the plan for the two schools is expected after the meeting.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher's plan calls for such sharing to save expenses while improving efficiency and programs at both institutions. This is part of a larger statewide plan called Campus Alliance Networks."

"As I have mentioned both publicly and to you privately, I support shared services and strategic initiative measures that achieve economies of scale and results in reduced costs, taxpayers savings, and a more student-centric approach for SUNY," Ritchie wrote to Chancellor Zimpher earlier this week.

"Nevertheless, I want to ensure that this new approach does not come at the expense of one college over another."

Ritchie has expressed concern that implementation of the plan might be rushed without an adequate understanding of the unique nature and culture of each college.

"SUNY Canton has experienced marked growth over the past two decades: Enrollments continue to climb at record levels, fundraising has returned to pre-recession levels, and the College's fiscal condition has never been more stable. The College is flourishing by all measurable indices and I, like you, want this to continue," Ritchie said in her letter.

Ritchie said she wants the decision-making and implementation to be transparent, and that both colleges "retain their individual identities."

Sen. Ritchie’s 48th District covers western St. Lawrence County including Canton but not Potsdam.