Press release:
State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that he has secured more than $10 million in matching grants for strategic initiative projects at Genesee Community College as part of the 2014-15 New York State Budget.
Senator Ranzenhofer requested that the funding be added to the Executive Budget proposal.
“I am pleased to announce that I have been able to secure over $10 million in funding for critically needed capital projects at Genesee Community College,” Ranzenhofer said. “Many of these projects will enhance student experience and success. The Student Success Center will upgrade the college’s instructional space with new labs, tutoring areas, and more classrooms for new academic programs, such as health, technology and agribusiness.”
The State Budget provides $6,924,150 for the Genesee Community College Event Center; $2,593,350 for the Genesee Community College Success Center; and $575,303 for conversion and retrofitting of space for new academic program instructional needs.
Genesee Community College President James Sunser started working with Senator Ranzenhofer in early February to secure funding for these projects.
Sunser said:
“The projects funded in the New York State budget for Genesee Community College are among the most important initiatives in the College’s history. The two new Batavia Campus buildings will continue Genesee’s 47-year record of innovation, and transform our College and our region. The new College and Community Event Center will enrich campus life, and will eventually bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to business, professional and community events held there. The Student Success Center will be one of the most unique “one-stop” student service centers in the nation. It will bring together in one place all the services students and community residents need for their academic and career success.
“Together, these two new buildings will free up space in the existing Batavia Campus buildings for new academic programs that will help shape our future, such as agribusiness and emerging high-tech fields. These new programs mean new opportunities for students and new jobs for the region. From the outset, Senator Ranzenhofer understood how these projects would make a powerful difference in the lives of our students and the economic vitality of our communities. We appreciate Senator Ranzenhofer’s commitment to Genesee Community College, his commitment to the long-term growth of jobs and businesses that these projects represent, and his willingness to advocate for inclusion of these projects in a very tight state budget. Senator Ranzenhofer’s efforts will touch future generations.”
The funding is part of $81 million in matching grants in the State Budget for strategic initiative projects on community college campuses across New York.
10 million dollars to enhance
10 million dollars to enhance student experience and success? did this guy really say this? he could not have said it with a straight face.
do the students at GCC pay tuition ?if they do, I think the next step would be to reimburse all students for any monies they have had to pay to GCC. we should be paying their living expenses including rents, utilities, auto insurance, health insurance, gasoline expenses and a benefits card for groceries. now that is how you enhance the student experience. a cash stipend will be given to students wishing to experience the cannabis culture.
What's next... giving Attica
What's next... giving Attica inmates a free education at GCC?
As a graduate and former
As a graduate and former student at Genesee Community College I take exception to the above comments. They both ignore and detract from the quality and value of the college's educational program. The opportunities GCC provides for the region are evidenced by successful careers of those who benefited from Genesee's programs, the abundance of former students with leadership roles in local government and industry and extend to those who stand to benefit in the future. The school has dedicated itself to innovation, flexing to meet the shifting needs of its service area. The college has adapted to trends in education, related technology, business and industry- at the same time providing cultural and intellectual advantage to the community. The college has grown in student population, educational offerings and as an economic engine for the community. The cost of that growth has been not only well-managed; it has been offset by the betterment of communities served by the college. GCC is cost-effective from both a student or tax-payer's perspective. The school consistently ranks high in program by program evaluations and student satisfaction. CNNMoney ranked Genesee the best community college in the east.