State uses tuition cookie jar for budget deficit relief

Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders announced last week an agreement on a $1.6 billion package of spending cuts and transfers. Although referenced as cuts and transfers at the state level, it was discussed by the SUNY Fredonia College Council that the "cuts" will essentially be taxes on tuition.

This article can be located in the Evening Observer:
http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/518919.html?nav=5047

Students flooding local community colleges as economy lags

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but when it comes to educational trends, it appears recession is the mother of re-invention.

This article can be located in the Times Herald-Record:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090209/NEWS/902090329

Students protest Gov. Paterson's education plan

There was a good tally for the “Rally in the Valley.”

This article can be located in the Wellsville Daily Reporter:
http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/state_news/x955249641/Students-protest-Gov-Patersons-education-plan

Students & faculty rally against budget

College students are not very happy with Albany Friday night.

This article can be located WIBV:
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/students_and_faculty_rally_against_budget_090206

Protest held over Gov. Paterson's tuition hike

Not everyone is a fan of Gov. David Paterson's idea to use tuition increases to offset state budget woes. (Alfred State College)

This article can be located in the Olean Times Herald:
http://www.oleantimesherald.com/articles/2009/02/07/news/doc498d069f71a9e100532515.txt

SUNY not pleased with losing tuition hike money - Poughkeepsie Journal

State University of New York officials and students said Wednesday they are unhappy they will benefit from just 10 percent of this semester’s tuition hike and vowed to fight harder to get all of it in the 2009-10 budget.

The Legislature on Tuesday forged an agreement with Gov. David Paterson to patch a $1.6 billion hole in the current budget year, which ends March 31. The state will reduce SUNY’s operating funds by 90 percent of what the $620-per-year tuition hike collects this semester, for a savings of $62 million. The net savings will be $53 million because the new rate will be factored into the Tuition Assistance Program.

Read the complete article

New York Community Colleges Association of Presidents (NYCCAP) Statement on Proposed Budget Cuts

Today the New York Community Colleges Association of Presidents (NYCCAP) released a statement on the proposed budget cuts.

"The proposed cuts to base aid present a real threat to more than 221,000 community college students in New York and to the ability of community colleges to fully meet the increasing demands of citizens and the workforce needs of employers throughout the state. These cuts follow years of inadequate funding by both the state and local sponsors—even as enrollments have steadily increased – that have left most community colleges with extremely limited discretionary budgets and very little room for budget adjustments. Although the cuts may support the state’s short-term goal of cutting expenditures and balancing this year’s budget, it will be to the detriment of its goal of building the state’s capacity to revitalize New York’s economy and prevent budget deficits in future years."

Read the complete statement.

Testimony to the Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2009-10 Executive Budget & Deficit Reduction Plan

Vice Chancellor John J. O’Connor,  Chairman Carl T. Hayden, and Chairman H. Carl McCall testified in front of the joint legislative hearing of the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways & Means Committees on the 2009-10 Executive Budget & 2008-09 Deficit Reduction Plan.

Read their full statement here - http://www.suny.edu/ChancellorsMsg/BudgetTestimony1-09.pdf

Vice Chancellor John J. O’Connor said, "It is In the face of this economic uncertainty that the importance of a strong public higher education program to assist the State in its economic recovery cannot be overstated. This is the premise on which the State University’s 2009-10 Budget Request is built. It allows the University to step up and help itself, while asking the state to simply cover its basic obligations, and at the same time establishing a plan to allow the University to partner with host communities through public-private partnerships, generating millions in revenues needed to support the University and also help local businesses."

SUNY students voice opposition to New York State Executive Budget proposals

"The Student Assembly of the State University of New York continues to stand strongly opposed to the use of tuition dollars for anything other than funding SUNY, as well as to any additional reductions in state support. The 2009-10 Executive Budget proposes another $40 million reduction in state support, as well as a 10 percent across the board cut to base aid for community colleges."

Read the complete release by the Student Assembly.

Open Letter to State Legislators on the Current Fiscal Situation

Yesterday, Board Chairman Carl Hayden and Finance Committee Chairman Carl McCall sent a letter to the entire State Legislature on the current fiscal situation and SUNY's position on the budget.

Download the letter here.