Governor David Paterson's proposal to trim billions from New York's schools, including the CUNY and SUNY systems, is drawing opposition from students and faculty.
The State University of New York system, which is comprised of 64 campuses across the state, is taking the biggest hit of all the state agencies.
A review of SUNY budget documents shows that the governor's plan would remove at least $168.5 million from the SUNY budget in 2010-2011. Support for the state's 30 community colleges would be cut $53.8 million.
"It is not an opportune time to cut spending when the economy is in the doldrums. New York State is already vulnerable to downside risk," said Professor of Economics Gray Orphee. "Governor Paterson's initiative to cutthe budget, strikes me as adventurous and a little bit misguided."
"This takes away opportunity from those students who need financial support in order to continue their education," said Student Government President Tarik Abdelqader.
In 2009, SUNY funding was cut by $146 million. The SUNY trustees then agreed upon a statewide tuition increase of $310 for in-state students, and $1,130 per semester for out-of-state students, the rates currently in effect.
"The SUNY tuition hikes are an absolute outrage," says student Jordan Kolinsky. "[Students] are the future of this country and to see these increases in tuition is devastating to some families."
The SUNY system did not use all of the new revenue generated by those tuition increases, to fund education—New York State, through an agreement between Governor Paterson and the Legislature, swept up $62 million of it.
The Governor is now proposing that SUNY and CUNY be permitted to set their own tuition hikes without legislative approval. This would allow each campus to set its own tuition and fees.
Paterson has said the cuts are needed due to budget shortfalls caused by the recession.
The Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) declared on Nov. 28, 2008, that a recession began in the United States in Dec. 2007.
The United States economy has been through six recessions in the past 40 years. These recessions on average lasted 10.7 months.
Our longest recessions, beginning on Nov. 1973 and July 1981, both lasted 16 months, while our shortest recession beginning in Jan. 1980, lasted only six months.
The current recession has lasted more than 18 months, and President Obama has introduced proposals to help ease it by improving and steering more funds to education. President Obama has proposed a $12 billion community college initiative, and a $500 million plan to develop new and improved online curriculums for community colleges.
This would allow students to pursue their studies at RCC and beyond.
"I would like to see students continue their education at RCC, but unfortunately this may be an issue for some due to tuition increases," said Professor Deborah Merrgian. "It would be nice for these kids to further their education post-RCC."
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