Albany, NY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today voted unanimously to approve SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) as the new name for the recently merged SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE)/SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT). The SUNY Poly name unifies the Albany and Utica/Rome campuses and reflects the expanded academic programs and opportunities available to students.

SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall said, “The State University of New York is excited to announce the official naming of SUNY Polytechnic Institute—a fitting name for the high tech capabilities and unique educational programs the institute will offer as it drives unparalleled business growth and job creation across New York State in support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the SUNY system’s innovation-focused visions. Dr. Kaloyeros and the students, faculty, and staff at SUNY Poly are going to continue to build on New York’s national and international leadership in the global economy’s most competitive industries.”

“This is so much more than a new name,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “It is a celebration of a new cutting-edge SUNY campus with statewide reach, and it has incredible relevance to New York State residents, students, researchers, and employers. Under the continued leadership and vision of Dr. Kaloyeros, SUNY Poly will provide an unmatched educational experience for students and further enable SUNY’s capacity to drive workforce development across a number of high tech industries.”

“This is a historic time as SUNY completes the merger of two of its thriving academic institutions; CNSE and SUNYIT. We are thrilled that the SUNY Board of Trustees has unanimously approved our new name, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, which truly embodies the incredible potential of the merged entity, and we extend our gratitude and acknowledgment to Chancellor Zimpher and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their oversight and support,” said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, CEO and Officer in Charge of SUNY Poly. “When Governor Andrew Cuomo first brought these campuses together to help realize his Nano Utica initiative, he was catalyzing a golden opportunity to create a cutting edge, multi-faceted academic and economic engine for the state. We applaud our students, faculty, and staff for their support and assistance in identifying a name that unifies our campuses while preserving our original missions and unique identities.”

“SUNY Poly will further advance and expand upon the cutting edge academic, research, and development programs CNSE and SUNYIT have become synonymous with by leveraging the wealth of expertise and resources available at both campuses,” said Dr. Robert Geer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SUNY Poly. “The name SUNY Polytechnic Institute demonstrates an unrivaled array of educational programs and opportunities available to students and faculty, as well as our continued commitment to high-tech innovation, job training, and economic development in the 21st century global economy.”

On March 19, 2014, the State University of New York Board of Trustees unanimously approved SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher’s recommendation to merge CNSE and SUNYIT. The merged institution will provide students with access to the full array of courses and academic and professional development opportunities offered at both SUNY Poly campuses, while creating a career-ready workforce that will help attract and retain high-tech companies in the state. In addition to maintaining all current SUNY Poly programs and faculty, the merger will enable significant expansion of current disciplines and initiatives.

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About the State University of New York. The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 460,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 college and university campuses, and online through Open SUNY. SUNY students and faculty across the state make significant contributions to research and discovery, resulting in nearly $1 billion of externally-sponsored activity each year. There are 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.

About SUNY POLY. SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and degrees in technology, professional studies, and the arts and sciences at its Utica/Rome campus. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $20 billion in high-tech investments, over 300 corporate partners, and maintains a statewide footprint. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,100 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, faculty, and staff. The Utica/Rome campus offers a unique high-tech learning environment, providing academic programs in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and offerings in the arts and sciences range from humanities to the social sciences. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. SUNY Poly operates the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua. SUNY Poly founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) on its Utica campus, and is lead developer of the Marcy Nanocenter site, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Complex, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub, and Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub. For information visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunyit.edu.

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Media Contacts: David Doyle, SUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications (518) 320-1311 | David.Doyle@suny.edu

Jerry Gretzinger, SUNY Poly Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Relations (518) 956-7359 | jgretzinger@sunycnse.com