Keith Aurora-Williams

As of March 16, Baruch College officially acquired $50 million in funding for the renovation of the 17 Lexington Ave. building. In the previous issue of The Ticker, Chancellor Matthew Goldstein's dedication of $30 million for the future of 17 Lexington was announced.

The most recent contribution comes as a result of the New York State Assembly's newly proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The State Assembly's new budget should be finalized as of April 1. Although the proposed $50 million in tax levy funds still needs to be negotiated in state committees. The funds should be passed without contention.

The Assembly made additional recommendations to the state government's other bodies that $600 million should be allotted in the general budget for CUNY. The original request made by the CUNY board of directors was $2.34 billion more than what the state intended to give, meaning that the $600 million is actually a bonus from the state. It remains to be seen how the other branches and the senate will cooperate.

Since the renovation plan's inception, a great many individuals have prodded politicians in Albany to generate letters of support and generally curry for favor to obtain the accumulated $80 million.

Certain state politicians have had prominent roles in attaining support for the plan. The most notable of these are State Assemblyman Brian Cavanaugh, and State Senators Liz Krueger and Martin J. Golden.

The New York State Senate is also required to reach a consensus about the new budget by April 1.

They are expected to apportion significant capital for 17 Lexington According to Undergraduate Student Government President Anthony Hernandez, it has been hinted that other sources for the remaining $37.5 million should be revealed before the year is out.

If after state committees finalize the new budgets and 17 Lexington is not covered, Baruch could be expected to launch "a large-scale fundraising effort to cover the remaining costs," said USG Vice-President Sean Perryman.