UUP has taken to the airwaves in an effort to persuade Gov. Eliot Spitzer to fully fund SUNY in his 2008-09 Executive Budget, including money to hire more full-time faculty.

The 30-second TV ad features UUP Acting President Frederick Floss stressing that SUNY graduates “become magnets for jobs … jobs that will revitalize Upstate New York.” He strongly pointed out that to foster that economic growth, SUNY needs support in the state budget to fuel that growth.

“To realize these goals, SUNY needs more faculty and more support for our students,” Floss said in the ad. Viewers are asked to call the governor at a toll-free number to ask him to fully fund SUNY.

The ad also features visuals of UUP members on the job in classrooms, hospitals and residence halls, as well as SUNY students.

The TV spot first aired in Albany the week of Dec. 17 and is also running early this month. The ad is timed to air before the governor puts the finishing touches on his Executive Budget, due for release Jan. 23.

The ad is part of UUP’s annual legislative advertising campaign. Another spot will be produced after the governor introduces his Executive Budget proposal, to encourage members of the state Legislature to approve a spending plan that increases funding for SUNY, including funds for more full-time faculty.

— Donald Feldstein