President Kenny's Last Convocation Addresses Budget Crisis
By Michelle Trauring President Shirley Strum Kenny's struggle to curb incisive state budget cuts crossed heavily into Wednesday afternoon's university convocation, where she welcomed 72 new faculty members to Stony Brook and introduced them to the tenuous financial environment in which they will start work. Kenny, who will retire next June, also used her last convocation to reflect on her 14-year history as president, during which Stony Brook grew in size and scope as a university. The speech drew on the school's history to highlight the gravity of the looming New York State cuts. In order to continue her legacy of expansion, Kenny said, the fight to resist cuts is "imperative." "Stony Brook is the economic and social bedrock of Long Island," she said, referencing the university's three campuses, the medical center, veteran's home, Brookhaven National Laboratory – soon to be strung to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – and the recent land-breaking at Stony Brook Research Park. The latest budget cut, a result of Governor David Paterson's plan to help the state weather the turmoil on Wall Street, hit the SUNY system this summer. In her speech, Kenny repeatedly stressed getting "the message out" about the cut's seriousness. The latest cut is expected to reduce Stony Brook's budget by $5.5 million, she said. Kenny contrasted the gloom of the budget news with photos documenting the university's growth, both physical and academic, and cracked some jokes along the way. Her 55-minute speech inspired a strong, standing ovation from the audience, ending only once she descended the steps of the Staller main stage. |
