Congresswoman Tenney Urges Governor Hochul to Scrap Plan to Link Local Semiconductor Hub to SUNY Albany

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to reverse a plan to reunify the State University of New York (SUNY) Polytechnic Institute’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), a key component of the semiconductor industry in Central New York, with the University at Albany.

In her letter, Tenney highlighted the importance of SUNY Poly’s CNSE for both education and workforce development in Central New York. CNSE is a focal point for the local semiconductor industry, which produces components necessary in nearly all electronic products. Notably, semiconductors are in short supply across the world. Tenney also highlighted CNSE’s support of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate in nearby Rome, NY.

“In addition to its undeniable educational value to our region, SUNY Poly has also served as a focal point for the development of the semiconductor industry here in Central New York. As you may know semiconductors are utilized for a vast array of applications and are in short supply across the world. Jobs in the semiconductor industry are in-demand, and offer well paying, stable employment. Efforts to attract this critical industry to our region will be significantly harmed should you proceed with this damaging proposal. Additionally, SUNY Poly is also a national resource to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate in Rome,” Tenney wrote.

The full text of the letter is available here.

Dear Governor Hochul:

Just eight years ago, the State of New York Board of Trustees decided to merge SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) with the SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT), creating the SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Since then, this university has served as a source of pride, economic vitality, and educational investment for the Utica region and all of Central New York. However, during your State of the State address, you announced a proposal to reunify the SUNY CNSE with the University at Albany. I urge you to abandon this proposal and any future attempts to restructure the SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

In addition to its undeniable educational value to our region, SUNY Poly has also served as a focal point for the development of the semiconductor industry here in Central New York. As you may know semiconductors are utilized for a vast array of applications and are in short supply across the world. Jobs in the semiconductor industry are in-demand, and offer well paying, stable employment. Efforts to attract this critical industry to our region will be significantly harmed should you proceed with this damaging proposal. Additionally, SUNY Poly is also a national resource to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate in Rome.

The potential reunification of CNSE with the University at Albany will have negative consequences on both educational and workforce development throughout Oneida County and Central New York. At a time when our nation is in dire need of economic recovery and additional capacity to produce semiconductors, it is essential that the state do all it can to strengthen employment and recruit the most talented candidates. Reducing resources and opportunities offered by SUNY Poly is in direct opposition to this goal. I appreciate your attention to this matter, and strongly urge you to abandon this proposal.

Sincerely,

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