Funding the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies - $8 Million in the FY26 Operating Budget and $2 Million in Capital Funding

In order to support expanded enrollment and capital investments, the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) needs $10 Million in the FY26 budget.

About the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies 

  • The School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) is the 25th and newest self-standing CUNY School, explicitly dedicated to public service and social justice. 
  • SLU focuses on expanding higher educational opportunities for workers. 
  • SLU enrolls more than 1,200  students and is seeing significant enrollment growth. 
  • SLU serves a diverse student population: 61% of its students are women and 81% are students of color. SLU serves both traditional-aged and working-adult and employed and unemployed adults. 
  • SLU focuses on 
    • Workforce Development: providing opportunities for workers and meeting the economic and workforce needs of the City and State. 
    • Labor Studies: offering certificate and degree programs that focus on the study of work, workers, and worker organizations. 
    • Urban Studies: offering certificate and degree programs that focus on urban problems as well as the policies and practices designed to alleviate those problems. 
    • Service to the Community: Providing public programming; publishing a national journal; developing educational material; conducting applied research; and offering civic engagement and leadership development programs to the community

What We're Fighting For 

A total of $8 million for the operations budget ($3.5M from the executive, restoration of $2.5M and $2M additional from the legislature) and $2 million for the capital budget from the legislature to support expanded enrollment, hire new faculty and academic support staff and continue to build out the organizational structure of the school.

With rising anticipated costs due to increased enrollment we must make sure that the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies is adequately funded!