One of my priorities as the college's president is to trumpet the accomplishments
and contributions of our campus to the larger New
Paltz community and the region. While many in the Hudson Valley
have long recognized that we are a high-quality educational institution -
indeed, Newsweek has singled us out as the
hottest small state school in the country! - our impact extends further.
New Paltz contributes $274 million annually to the Hudson Valley economy. And consider the following: We employ almost 1,400 people and pay almost $53 million annually in salaries - dollars that circulate through the region when college employees buy goods and services from local businesses. We spend almost $39 million each year through construction projects and purchases of equipment, supplies, utilities and other services that support the needs of our 7,800 students. We attract students and visitors to New Paltz and Ulster County who spend more than $83 million annually on food, housing and lodging, transportation, recreation, books and other supplies.
Beyond its immense economic impact, the college is also committed to extending its positive impact in the Hudson Valley by partnering with local businesses, government and nonprofit organizations to share knowledge and expertise. These have long been the core purposes of superior public universities in the United States. According to a recent faculty survey, 42 percent said they collaborated with the local community in research or teaching activities during the last two years. To expand these efforts, we have just created a new Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO), under the direction of Gerald Benjamin to serve as the central locus of our efforts to raise the college’s level of engagement across the Hudson Valley.
I share all of this with you to increase your awareness of our interest in deepening our connections with the local community. The Hudson Valley is and always will be our home and our source of strength and distinction. We are proud to be here, and proud to have you as our partners and neighbors.
Steve Poskanzer, President
