Tour highlights lecture hall renovations, critical infrastructure improvements, and continued partnership with CUNY
ALBANY, NY – Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez toured Hunter College this week alongside Hunter College President Nancy Cantor. The visit focused on reviewing active and recently completed capital projects that modernize academic spaces and strengthen essential campus infrastructure.
DASNY manages a broad portfolio of projects at Hunter College, ranging from lecture hall renovations and technology upgrades to life-safety and environmental infrastructure improvements. These investments support Hunter’s academic mission and ensure students and faculty learn and work in safe, resilient, and forward-looking facilities.
The tour included renovated lecture halls in the West Building, where DASNY completed HVAC and classroom technology upgrades designed to enhance the student learning experience. President Rodriguez also visited the East Building terrace and roof improvements, toured the campus generator upgrade supporting emergency power systems, and reviewed the acid neutralization system upgrades that strengthen laboratory operations and environmental compliance. The visit also included a stop at the future Black Box Theater space, where planned renovations will expand opportunities for creative expression and academic programming.
“Hunter College plays a vital role in expanding opportunity for New Yorkers, and DASNY is proud to support that mission,” said DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez. “Through our partnership with CUNY and campus leadership, we are modernizing classrooms, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring that campus facilities meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders.”
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget continues to prioritize public higher education infrastructure across New York State. The Governor proposes $1.1 billion in new funding for state-supported capital projects to help maintain SUNY and CUNY campus facilities, including $314 million dedicated to CUNY four-year colleges. The budget also includes $36 million in additional general operating aid for CUNY senior colleges, reinforcing the State’s commitment to strengthening both campus infrastructure and academic operations.
“These historic investments reflect a strong commitment to maintaining and modernizing New York’s public colleges,” Rodriguez added. “DASNY stands ready to help CUNY turn that commitment into real improvements students can see and use.”
Many of the projects at Hunter College take place within an active campus environment, requiring close coordination between DASNY, CUNY, and college leadership to maintain daily operations while advancing critical upgrades
“With facilities across Manhattan—from the Financial District to Lenox Hill to East Harlem—Hunter’s campuses are used intensively virtually every day of the year,” said Hunter College President Nancy Cantor. “So, our collaboration with DASNY and CUNY is absolutely vital, enabling us to continuously modernize to meet the needs of our more than 22,000 students and thousands more faculty and staff, as well as strive to fulfill our role as an anchor institution in this great city.”
Founded in 1870 as New York City’s first public college for women, Hunter remains an engine of opportunity, social mobility, research, and creativity today as CUNY’s largest college. DASNY continues to partner with CUNY campuses statewide to deliver projects that enhance learning environments, improve sustainability, and strengthen long-term campus resilience.
About DASNY
Founded in 1944, DASNY is New York State's capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond portfolio of approximately $60.1 billion as of March 31, 2025. DASNY is also a prolific public builder with a construction pipeline of approximately 1,000 projects valued at more than $13 billion as of March 31, 2025. To learn more about DASNY, visit www.dasny.org.