Area college presidents press for more state funding - Jay Tokasz, Buffalo News

SUNY Buffalo State wants to ease its dormitory space crunch by converting two buildings that house offices and classrooms back into dormitories, as they originally were designed. While the college has a plan, it doesn’t have the money. Rising employee costs and decreasing state support left the SUNY Fredonia with a $60,000 deficit this year. The University at Buffalo estimates it will need $500 million over the next five years to bring old buildings on South Campus and North Campus up to speed. And at Erie Community College, which is experiencing declining enrollment, administrators worry they may have to make budget cuts without a significant bump in state aid. Leaders from community colleges and State University of New York campuses in Western New York urged state legislators Thursday to increase spending on higher education. http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/higher-education/area-college-presidents-press-for-more-state-funding-20150319