The state has made 200 more spots at 12 high–demand SUNY campus child care centers across the state, including Tompkins Cortland Community College.
The expansion of child care accessibility on SUNY campuses is made possible with $1.72 million in additional funding for improvements. In addition to TC3, the SUNY community colleges that were awarded funds include Broome, Dutchess, Genesee, Hudson Valley, Jamestown, Niagara County, Schenectady, Suffolk County for two locations, , Cortland, Ulster, and Westchester.
Demand for child care spots have risen significantly, and on some campuses, as many as 80 percent of students with dependents report they have trouble meeting their child care needs.
“Quality child care is the cornerstone of a child’s development and is a crucial investment in the success of our future generations,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Investing in child care centers on SUNY campuses empowers our students, staff and faculty to pursue a higher education with ease while supporting working families.”
During the 2022-2023 academic year, SUNY offered approximately 4,500 child care slots across the 46 SUNY campuses that have a child care center onsite. The centers served 795 student-parents — up from 650 the year before — as well as faculty, staff, and local community members. SUNY campuses invest about $6 million annually to provide child care services. Last year, $10.8 million was allocated to SUNY to address child care deserts as well as fund improvements and expand capacity.
