Selected New York private colleges to use state grant awards for capital projects

Syracuse University, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Utica College, and Clarkson University are among 35 private institutions that will use state funding for campus capital projects.

The grants are part of a total of $57.2 million in funding for projects at 35 colleges and universities across New York state through the Higher Education Capital (HECap) matching grant program, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

Campuses that were awarded grants are required to invest at least $3 of their own money for every $1 of state funds that they receive, Cuomo’s office said.  

These HECap awards support projects that provide increased training in health sciences through construction of new laboratory and research spaces, the purchase of new instructional technologies and medical equipment, and a variety of other capital investments and improvements.

The funds were awarded at the March 12 meeting of the HECap board, which provides matching grants to private, nonprofit colleges and universities for projects that “enhance educational opportunities for New Yorkers, create construction jobs and drive investment in communities across the state,” Cuomo’s office said.

The Higher Education Capital matching grant program has enabled campuses across the state to make critical investments in their infrastructure and equipment while creating construction jobs, Cuomo’s office said.

Funding awards

Syracuse University will use more than $2 million for infrastructure improvements to its Center for Science and Technology.

Ithaca College will use a state grant of $1.6 million to build and renovate facilities to house a new, 27-month graduate physician assistant program.

The grants also include $5 million for Clarkson University, which will use the funding to renovate its science center.

In addition, Cornell University will use more than $639,000 for renovations to expand its Computing Information Sciences (CIS) program; Hamilton College plans to allocate its more than $554,000 grant to renovate Burke Library; and Utica College will use more than $865,000 for upgrades and expansion of its athletic field facilities, the state said.