ALBANY — The State University of New York will cope with hard times by forcing efficiencies, tapping its 3 million alumni for donations, and using research and private partnerships to increase revenues while creating and retaining 40,000 private sector jobs, a school official said yesterday.

Those are among the priorities presented in Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s first state of SUNY address for the largest public university system in the nation with 64 campuses.

Talking about the university’s millions of alumni, Zimpher said: “We pledge to find each and every one of you.”