“Universities are uniquely positioned to take the lead in fostering well-being within their communities,” the researchers wrote. “By doing so, they can take on a role that transcends ideological divides.”

Belot explains that the research overall counters narratives that universities should focus only on their core business, and nothing else. Health and well-being stood out as a high priority across demographic groups.

“It's not to say that if he accomplishes this extraordinary increase in the value of the company that he shouldn't be rewarded, but we're talking about a package that is just way beyond anything that resembles reasonableness in terms of compensation,” said Dunn.

“As concerning economic conditions like inflation, job loss and disinvestment continue to grow the population of 'vulnerable' or 'precarious' persons, I imagine we can expect the language of systems-level change—and candidates who adopt that language—to have more success at the state & local level.”

Weaver adds: “Figures like Mr. Mamdani are winning support because they are explicitly saying that the ‘free market’ approach, and the status quo economic system, have failed to take care of working and vulnerable people.”

“New York City is a city of tenants, so the struggle and collective organising and action of tenants has played a larger historical role in housing policy in NYC than in most other places in the United States,” said Weaver.

“If these recent changes offer early signals of what is to come from the federal government’s efficiency and domestic economic growth agenda,” said Russell Weaver, “then New Yorkers are likely to face meaningful adjustment costs as federal austerity measures permeate throughout the state.”

“Preliminary results are sobering,” said Cathy Creighton, director of the Co-Lab, during an event launching the initiative on Oct. 28. “It shows a loss of billions of dollars in federal funding to New York state via losses to grant funding, contract funding and job losses.”

Analysis by the #CornellILR Buffalo Co-Lab shows that in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, federal funding to the Empire State decreased by nearly $16 billion compared to the prior fiscal year. Between last December and March, the state shed nearly 121,000 jobs, including 1,600 federal jobs.