The City University of New York recently unveiled the receipt of over $15M in federal appropriations to support nine campuses and the University’s Central Office. The College of Staten Island was among them, having recently acknowledged appropriations from Congress Member Nicole Malliotakis and from Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

According to CUNY Central, “the total funding will help finance workforce development initiatives, upgrade STEM lab facilities, expand academic programs, strengthen CUNY’s emergency response protocols and address infrastructure upgrades, including the preservation of the national landmark Louis Armstrong House Museum, the former home of the country’s first Black popular music icon.”

For CSI specifically, $4.6M in total was awarded, including:

  • $1.7 million from Senators Schumer and Gillibrand will fund the purchase of new equipment and technology to expand the Wind Energy Workforce Education and Training program, create workforce development curricula for students looking to work in New York’s fast-growing offshore wind industry and purchase equipment for instruction in sustainable energy that will be used by the Engineering and Environmental Science program. 
  • 2.9 million from Congress Member Malliotakis is earmarked for many STEM lab improvements that include the construction of a math instruction lab for 30 students and a new mobile robotics training system for the engineering lab, which will help prepare students for careers in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and more. Additional upgrades include new systems for patient, birthing and neonatal simulation in the nursing lab; biology lab improvements such as a new interactive 3D anatomy display table and virtual reality anatomy visualization systems; new computers, protective fume hoods and scientific instruments like a liquid chromatography machine, which is used to separate compounds in liquid samples, for the chemistry labs; and new telescopes and other equipment for the physics labs.

“We thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and our representatives in Congress who are working so diligently to help CUNY further its mission to lift New York,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “These federal appropriations, which will fund a wide range of innovative and critical initiatives throughout the University, will help us provide our students with the support they need to succeed academically, socially and professionally.” 

“I am so proud to support the City University of New York by delivering $3 million in federal funds for community projects,” said Senator Schumer. “CUNY’s 25 campuses are the fabric of higher and continuing education in New York City, providing incredible opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds. I won’t stop fighting for resources to support CUNY, its students and research initiatives, and the safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

“New Yorkers have long relied on CUNY for high-quality public education, and this $15 million in federal funding will ensure CUNY can continue to put our students on the path to success,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m especially proud that this funding will support the great work the Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative is doing to build a career pipeline for the next generation of infrastructure workers. We need this workforce now more than ever since President Biden signed the once-in-a-generation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’m so proud to have brought home this funding for CUNY, and I’ll continue to work tirelessly to make sure all students can access high-quality education.”

“I’m proud to have secured this funding to help the College of Staten Island continue to upgrade their STEM facilities and purchase new state-of-the-art equipment so our students can learn in the best environment possible,” said Congress Member Malliotakis. “This investment will allow CSI to provide biology, chemistry, physics, math and engineering students with a high-quality education and fantastic hands-on learning experience so they can thrive in their studies and become successful leaders in the STEM field.”

For the fuill complement of CUNY initiatives supported by the federal support see The City University of New York’s Release.

– Story courtesy of CUNY Media Relations