ALBANY – State University of New York Chancellor Kristina Johnson has announced #SUNYTogether, a multi-faceted fundraising effort intended to bolster the system’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. SUNY joins Governor Cuomo’s “New York Loves” coordinated philanthropic efforts.
#SUNYTogether aims to raise $10 million over the next several weeks, harnessing the generosity of the system’s many alumni, stakeholders and allies, as well as corporate donors, to provide support for students and researchers and also to provide crucial supplies and protective gear for those on the front lines of the battle against this deadly virus.
Johnson said. “Members of the SUNY family all across our system are doing their part in the fight against COVID-19, and we want to make sure they have everything they need to ensure their success. That includes providing technology and direct financial support for students continuing their studies at home, as well as funding for researchers working on better testing and treatments and supplies for medical personnel who are continuing to put their own lives at risk to protect the health and wellness of all New Yorkers.”
Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “As New York continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Cuomo’s New York Loves effort will coordinate philanthropic resources to help New Yorkers impacted by this public health emergency. I am proud to count SUNY as part of this effort and the #SUNYTogether campaign will bring critical resources to help bolster our future leaders and support key medical research and supplies for frontline medical teams across the state.”
Since SUNY has moved its academic programs online in keeping with social distancing protocols, some of the 415,500 students are in need of laptops.
Thus far, 7,000 laptops have been procured and distributed, and another 2,000 have been ordered. Another 5,000 are still needed, at a cost of roughly $700 a piece, totaling $3.5 million, which will be raised through the Student Technology Assistance Fund.
Johnson has also set a goal of raising another $3.5 million for the Student Emergency Fund and the Student Scholarship Fund.
The Emergency Fund provides micro-grants for eligible students to help provide basic resources due to loss of wages or unexpected expenses such as food, transportation, housing, and more while the Scholarship Fund will help eligible students stay on track to complete their degrees, with the amount provided based on need.
The chancellor intends to raise $1.5 million each for the Medical Research Fund and a newly created Personal Protective Equipment Fund.
The SUNY Medical Research Fund will provide student and faculty researchers with funding to support research into rapid-response treatments, resurgence prevention, and providing PPE for frontline responders.
Money secured through the PPE Fund will support efforts currently underway on multiple SUNY campuses to produce and donate face masks, shields, gowns, and other supplies.
