SUNY Canton was founded in 1906, along the banks of the Grasse River in St. Lawrence County, New York, as the School of Agriculture at St. Lawrence University. It was the first post-secondary, two-year College established in New York State. In 1941, the school was renamed the New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute. In 1948, it became a member college of the State University of New York. The College received its final name change in 1987, when it became the State University of New York College of Technology at Canton (SUNY Canton). In 1997, the school received bachelor’s degree granting approval from the SUNY Trustees and the Governor of New York State. SUNY Canton is presently a public college that offers one-year certificates, as well as associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. In addition, SUNY Canton offers degrees through three academic schools: Canino School of Engineering and Technology, School of Business and Liberal Arts, and School of Health, Science and Criminal Justice.

The College currently enrolls over 3,000 undergraduates and employs nearly 200 academic staff. The 555 acre campus is comprised of 20 buildings. A majority of these buildings were built between the 1940s and 1970s. Prior to the late 1970s, asbestos-containing materials were utilized in construction and maintenance of buildings at SUNY Canton in Canton, New York. Inhaling dust and particles from the application and removal of asbestos-containing materials placed workers at risk for developing serious health problems, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Even those who were not in direct contact with asbestos materials remain at risk for the development of asbestos-related diseases.

Many union and non-union laborers who worked on construction projects at SUNY Canton were employed by various contractors throughout New York State. If you or a loved one were once employed as a laborer at SUNY Canton and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.