CUNY Chancellor outlines $200M funding challenges amid federal budget cuts

The New York City Council convened on May 15, 2025, for the Finance, Higher Education, and Government Operations FY26 Executive Budget Hearing, focusing on the financial needs and strategic goals of the City University of New York (CUNY). The meeting highlighted critical discussions surrounding infrastructure funding, federal aid impacts, and ongoing projects.

The Chancellor emphasized the university's commitment to improving its facilities, stating that CUNY currently has approximately 800 active projects aimed at achieving a state of good repair across its campuses. The Chancellor reported progress in this area, noting an increase in the state of good repair percentage from 24% to 27%. This improvement is attributed to a targeted approach in utilizing capital dollars, particularly following a condition assessment of the facilities.

Key projects discussed included a $150 million request for hostel development and significant investments in life sciences at KISS Bay. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding water filtration projects at Hunter and York colleges, which are critical to maintaining operational standards.

The budget proposal includes $9.2 million in new funding for various campuses, with allocations of $100,000 for Brooklyn, $6.5 million for Queens, $1.288 million for Manhattan, and $1.4 million for The Bronx. The Chancellor also highlighted a broader request for $200 million aimed at addressing the overall state of good repair for community colleges.

A significant concern addressed during the hearing was the potential impact of federal funding cuts, particularly the sunsetting of $112.4 million in federal aid for CUNY. The Chancellor noted that while the exact effects on programming were unclear, the loss of Title IV federal funding, which includes Pell Grants and federal loans, could severely impact the student body, as 57% of CUNY students rely on this aid.

The discussion also revealed that CUNY is facing challenges with 78 stop work orders on research grants, amounting to $17 million at risk. These orders have affected 98 employees, with the potential for up to 14,000 jobs at risk if all federal research funding were to cease. The university is actively working to appeal these stop work orders and has established a task force to support principal investigators in navigating these challenges.

In conclusion, the hearing underscored the urgent need for funding to maintain and improve CUNY's infrastructure and programs, while also addressing the looming threat of federal funding cuts that could significantly impact the university's operations and its students. The council's ongoing discussions will be crucial in determining the next steps for CUNY's budget and strategic initiatives.