The funding has been allocated from New York State’s 2008-09 budget. Martin Schoonen, Stony Brook Southampton’s interim Dean told that the fund will help them to be in better position to attract more students. It is said that out of this fund nearly $7 million will be used to upgrade the SoMAS research station that is built near Shinnecock Bay. This facility will now have new state of the art laboratories for aquaculture research and space for public education.
David Conover, the dean of SoMAS, told that the plan is amazing as it will catapult the institute in terms of facility to be among the best on the East Coast. The institution is also seeking an additional $1.7 million to pay for new equipment for the expanded laboratory space. Peter Baignet, the vice president for student affairs at Stony Brook Southampton, informed that the funding will help in great way and will attract more students as it will now have better place for students to meet, have events, doing all activities with a possible emphasis on student wellness.
School officials credited Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele for obtaining the funding in the state’s capital budget. According to Thiele the fuding is a major investment to start any projects in the university that will not only improve the educational value but will also create job construction, education and the aquaculture industry.
