To the Editor: A recent story in the Wall Street Journal made it seem that I do not support the governor’s plan to create a new college for homeland security and emergency preparedness. Nothing could be further from the truth. I simply stated that, to my knowledge, it has not yet been defined if this will be a stand- alone campus or a virtual campus, utilizing all the assets of SUNY & CUNY. Although the governor’s proposal is in its early stages, and we do not yet have all the details, I am committed to advocating for Central New York to host this new college. New York State has experienced nine federally declared disasters since 2010 – events that have threatened communities and tested our ability to react accordingly and recover quickly. Our region is already a hub for higher education with resources that will aid in the development and success of a first-rate school of homeland security. Syracuse University has an excellent School of Architecture and the nationally recognized iSchool of Information Studies. SUNY ESF has expertise in landscaping architecture, forestry, invasive species and climate change. SUNY Upstate can provide expertise in emergency medical response to natural disasters, pandemics and terrorist attacks, and Onondaga Community College can provide police readiness through the Police Academy. Homeland security and emergency preparedness are growing fields that will only become more relevant. I agree with the governor that it is essential for New York to have a world-class college for homeland security, and I’m confident that Central New York is the place to make this happen. Sincerely,
Al Stirpe
Member of Assembly