Commentary/Op-Ed - April 2024
To Build a Greener New York City, Start With CUNYMeeting New York City’s ambitious climate goals will require a massive retrofit of its buildings, which make up almost 70 percent of the city’s carbon footprint. To begin, a major new initiative is needed to build a greener CUNY using incoming federal and state funding.
impact - April 2024
CUF Inspires Key Proposals in City Council’s FY2025 Budget ResponseIn April, the City Council released its FY2025 budget response. Several of the Council's proposals align with recent research and recommendations from the Center for an Urban Future, including investments in CUNY Reconnect and CUNY ACE, training teachers in computing education, increasing support for underresourced entrepreneurs, and bolstering adult literacy and older adult services.
Testimony - April 2024
Harnessing CUNY’s Talent to Build a Green FutureIn this testimony before the NYC Council Committee on Higher Education, CUF Senior Fellow for Climate and Opportunity John Surico calls for the city to build a greener CUNY, not just to help the city meet its crucial emissions reduction goals, but also to provide much-needed infrastructure improvements. CUNY's own sustainability-focused initiatives are the secret weapon to decarbonization of CUNY buildings.
impact - April 2024
CUF report inspires major new state investment in the artsNew York State's FY 2025 budget includes a $40 million increase in grantmaking funds for the New York State Council on the Arts and implementation of three new arts-and-culture programs. CUF's report on the creative economy in upstate New York put forward the very same proposals.
Report - March 2024
Boosting Transfer Student Success at CUNYThousands of New York City public high school graduates every year start at a City University of New York community college and then transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a bachelor's degree. But the large majority of CUNY students who intend to transfer and complete a credential fall short of doing so. Improvement is possible with a few strategic steps from CUNY and modest investments from city and state leaders.
Testimony - March 2024
Implementing Innovative Ways To Fund Parks and Open SpacesIn this testimony before the NYC Council Committee on Parks and Recreation, CUF Senior Fellow for Climate and Opportunity John Surico makes the case for why, and how, city leaders can establish sustainable sources of recurring funding for parks.