State University of New York

History

The State University of New York (SUNY) is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is one of the largest comprehensive systems of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 424,051 students, plus 2,195,082 adult education students, spanning 64 campuses across the state. Led by Chancellor Jim Malatras, the SUNY system has 91,182 employees, including 32,496 faculty members, and some 7,660 degree and certificate programs overall and a $10.7 billion budget.

Aerial view of a large campus with multiple buildings, green spaces, and walkways.

SUNY was officially established in 1948, when New York became the 48th state, of the then 48 states, to create a state university system. Prior to 1948, New York State supported a number of schools for specific professions as separate institutions. In his 1948 State of the State address, then Governor Thomas E. Dewey announced a plan to centralize New York's system of higher education.

Governance and Organization

The SUNY system is governed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of eighteen members, fifteen of whom are appointed by the Governor, with consent of the New York State Senate. The three other trustees are the President of the Student Assembly of the State University of New York, the president of the University Faculty Senate, and the president of the Faculty Council of Community Colleges. Each trustee serves a term of seven years.

Campuses

The SUNY campuses are divided into four distinct categories: university centers/doctoral-granting institutions, comprehensive colleges, technology colleges, and community colleges. SUNY also includes statutory colleges, state-funded institutions within other institutions such as Cornell University and Alfred University.

University Centers/Doctoral-Granting Institutions

The four university centers are: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook. These centers offer degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate level.

Comprehensive Colleges

The thirteen comprehensive colleges of the SUNY system offer programs and degrees at the bachelor's and master's level. These colleges were formerly known as the university colleges.

Technology Colleges

The eight technology colleges of the SUNY system offer associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees that reflect a mission of technology education.

Community Colleges

The thirty community colleges of the SUNY system offer associate degrees and function as a pathway for students to transfer to a SUNY four-year institution.

Academics

SUNY offers a wide variety of degrees including Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees, as well as professional and medical degrees. The system emphasizes broad access to quality education at an affordable price. The SUNY system is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Research

Research is a significant aspect of the SUNY system, with over $1 billion in research conducted across its campuses. SUNY operates three biomedical research centers: Upstate Medical University, Downstate Medical Center, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. SUNY also operates the Brookhaven National Laboratories and the Stony Brook and Albany Nanotechnology Centers.