Community Members

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University Neighborhood Service Agreement Advisory Committee (UNSAAC)

The Service Agreement

In 1993, the University and city entered into an agreement (Ordinance #553) requiring the University to pay a fee of $250,000 annually to fund services addressing students' impact on neighborhoods southeast of the University. Increasing each year with the Consumer Price Index, the fee for 2007 is $352,581, bringing the University's total contribution to well over $3 million. By 2013, SU will have contributed over $6.5 million to these neighborhood districts.

What led to the Service Agreement?

Between the 1970s and 1980s, the University's monumental growth led to changes in residential neighborhoods southeast of campus. In 1989, local residents began requesting compensation for the effects of rapid population growth. Following lengthy discussions among the University, city, and affected residents, City Ordinances 553 and 554 established both the Service Agreement and the rules regarding distribution of these monies. In 1993, the Service Agreement was officially signed, requiring an annual payment of at least $250,000 for the purposes of maintaining the "health, safety, and welfare of the University neighborhood, such as police and fire protection, code enforcement, neighborhood organization support, and park and public area improvements."

The signed ordinances also established the University Neighborhood Service Agreement Advisory Committee (UNSAAC) to oversee distribution of funds. UNSAAC members are comprised of the following:

1. Westcott East Neighborhood Association (WENA)
2. South East University Neighborhood Association (SEUNA)
3. University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA)
4. Thornden Park Association
5. City of Syracuse, Community Development
6. Two members from the Syracuse City Common Council
7. A Syracuse University representative from the Office of Government and Community Relations

The purpose of the Committee is to solicit proposals from non-profit agencies in the special neighborhood district located southeast of the University and to allocate money based on the guidelines of the ordinance-to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the University neighborhood.

The UNSAAC Process

Every September, UNSAAC (University Neighborhood Service Agreement Advisory Committee) distributes requests for proposals, which are due in November and are reviewed by the Committee, the public, and the City. In mid-January, the Mayor and Common Council vote on which programs to fund based on UNSAAC recommendations. Following the selection process, organizations chosen to receive grants enter into a contractual agreement with the City.

For the 2008-09 fiscal year, a total of seven organizations applied for over $574,831.50 in funding. $362,000 will be distributed to the selected grant recipients.

Organizations that have received funding in the past include the South East University Neighborhood Association, University Neighborhood Preservation Association, Westcott Street Cultural Fair, Westcott East Neighborhood Association, Thornden Park Association, and the Westcott Community Center.

Click here for a complete list of UNSAAC recipients from 1994 through present.