A version of the SUNY Digital Library proposal is included
in the proposed SUNY budget. The presentation made to the
SUNY Board of Trustees included the following:
"2008-09 Budget Request
Academic Quality Initiatives
Enhance Educational Excellence
Strengthening the Educational Experience
- $14.4M [total]
- Digital Library
- Student Performance Tracking
- Strengthened Academic Analysis and Decision-Making
- Campus-Based Assessment
- Instructional and Research Equipment -Technology Upgrades
- Academic Leadership Development Program"
(2008-2009 SUNY Budget Presentation, page 21.)
This is a significant step in the process. The governor and the legislature, of course, have the final say about
this and other New York State funding decisions.
The original proposal including funding of 9 million
dollars annually. Right now, proposed is 3 million
dollars each of three years. More
important than the final dollar amount is the precedent
supporting additional funding for electronic library
resources for unmet needs around SUNY.
"Strengthen the Educational Experience
"In addition to increasing the number of faculty, the
initiatives described below provide support for the work of
the faculty in delivering modern curricula, research innovation,
and well educated students. SUNY simply must keep pace with
technological advances. Among these are the digital library,
technological upgrades to instructional and research equipment,
and data systems required to track and improve articulation,
graduation, retention and transfer of students. The University
must also provide funding for faculty development, including
leadership training. Each of these initiatives is
described below.
"Digital Library
"The revolution of electronic content, relatively
stagnant budgets, and the impact that SUNYConnect has had on
increasing access to SUNY libraries all contribute to the
need for the University to increase its commitment to digital
learning resources. The requested funding will be combined
with matching funds from campuses to expand the collection
of electronic content so that it better reflects and supports
current curriculum and research pursuits across the system.
A university-wide investment supports SUNY in leveraging
financial resources as cost effectively as possible in both
vendor negotiations and through partnerships with the New York
State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI) and Nylink."
(2008-09 Operating Budget Request The State University of New York)
Things can change. And, the change could be to the positive
or to the negative. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, work has already been underway in regard
to recommending additional electronic resources. The
SUNYConnect Advisory Council has asked the SUNY-wide
Electronic Resources Team to work on those recommendations.
They've agreed to serve. Thanks to the E-Res-Team:
Mary Casserly (Albany; University Center Representative)
Dawn Eckenrode (Fredonia; Comprehensive College Rep.)
Shafeek Fazal (Maritime; Technology/Specialized Colleges
Representative)
Connie Holberg (Jefferson; Community College Representative)
Mohamed Hussain (Downstate; Health Sciences Center Rep.)
Fritz Messere (Oswego; Faculty Representative – Faculty Senate)
Caroline Laier (Schenectady CC; Faculty Council Representative)
John Schumacher (OLIS; ex officio; Project Manager)
Contact your sector representative and let them know
your ideas.
Update: Statement from SUNY Interim Chancellor
Dr. John B. Clark on the Executive Budget Proposal,
January 23, 2008:
"The New York State Commission on Higher Education provides
a roadmap to elevate SUNY’s 64-campus system to become
the best public higher education system in the country.
The proposed 2008-09 Executive Budget shares that goal
and in certain areas demonstrates a long-term state
commitment aimed at funding public higher education,
especially the proposed creation of an endowment as a
permanent revenue source for SUNY and by providing
statutory tools to allow the University to operate in
a much more effective and efficient manner.
"The University is currently examining the details of
the budget proposal, along with the challenges and
opportunities including operating and capital investment.
We look forward to working with the Governor, the Senate
and the Assembly as budget deliberations unfold.”
The governor's proposed budget eliminates funding for
new initiatives including the SUNY Digital Library.
 
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