ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — A Cornell leader has responded to Mayor Laura Lewis’ statement Thursday about the university’s lack of contributions to the city for 2024.

In a statement to WHCU, Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina said, “Our proposal would more than double our voluntary contribution to the City of Ithaca and provide the city with immediate and significant new resources to advance critical initiatives for the benefit of the city and its residents. It deepens the university’s commitment to the city and is just one component of nearly $30 million in annual Cornell expenditures that directly benefit the city and its residents. We continue to engage with the city in the hope that we can reach an agreement over the coming weeks.”

Mayor Lewis says, “there is currently no payment at all scheduled from Cornell in 2024, representing a $1.6 million decline from Cornell’s 2023 contribution to the city.”