FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2006

Schumer Announces The Release Of $198,000 In Federal Funds For New Graduate College Of Union University

Funds Will Be Used For The Construction Of A Freestanding Campus For The New Graduate College

Schumer Worked with City and County Leaders to Convince School to Stay in Schenectady

Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released $198,000 as and Economic Development Initiative Special Project award to the Union Graduate College of Union University in Schenectady. The Graduate College is currently located on the Union campus; however their space does not meet the needs or mission of this newly independent, freestanding institution. Federal funds will be used to help underwrite the costs associated with establishing a freestanding campus. Schumer secured this funding last year in the FY06 Transportation, Treasury, HUD Appropriations Act.

“This is great news for Schenectady,” said Schumer. “The Graduate College is a first-rate institution with this funding they can now begin to establish a free standing campus. This project with attract hundreds of new students to Union, who will in turn, help generate millions in economic activity over the next ten years. The new campus will help to revitalize the local economy, build a strong sense of community, and improve the academic facilities for one of the Capital Region’s important graduate programs.”

The Graduate College of Union University will use federal funds to help underwrite the costs associated with establishing a freestanding campus. While the Graduate College will not own their new building, there are considerable costs associated with this project, including, information technology systems and training, relocating offices and classrooms and general capital support to purchase furnishings and equipment for a new administrative facility which will house offices, classrooms, and student services. This project is considered critical by City, County and Metroplex officials to help with the transformation of the City of Schenectady. The Graduate College has 574 active students with approximately 50 percent of whom are full-time.

The Graduate College under the leadership of President Susan Lehrman has established advanced degrees in Management, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, and Bioethics and Clinical Leadership in the past two years, and hopes to offer study in Alternative Energy Technologies at the new facility.

Schumer has worked hard to help revitalize the City of Schenectady. In 2005, he was able to assist in the rehabilitation of College Park Hall and the athletic fields across the street a few years ago, and helped to turn the former Big N Plaza into the Graduate College of Union College. Schumer worked with Mayor Brian Stratton and the Chair of the County Legislature Susan Savage, and the Schenectady Metroplex Authority to convince the school to use this location.

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