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Among the many cuts making up Governor Paterson's latest request that $1 billion be cut from the state budget is one to cut $51 million from the City University of New York. That amounts to a 7% cut, which is in line with the cut the SUNY system is making. CUNY told the Daily News the cut is "very significant" and it's unclear whether tuition will be raised, but added "We have an obligation to work diligently to minimize the impact on the academic program." So far, per the Wonkster, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, "It’s important that the Governor and Legislature not take any actions that would force local governments to raise their local taxes to make up for a shortfall from Albany," while Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver simply said the Assembly will "review" Paterson's wishes. Here's a breakdown of Paterson's proposals.
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Also cut down on SUNY budgets, esp. the administration dept; too many bureaucracy, nepotism, and unjustified expenses. also, to some of the SUNY colleges, the funds are being misappropriated. seriously, how do you justify a six figure income on some of the VP's such as the fundraising depts.
CUNY alumni here.
I always wondered if the senior level CUNY colleges should just be absorbed into SUNY? CUNY's dominant NYC presence makes it an affordable alternative to NYU, New School, et al (SUNY's FIT notwithstanding), but SUNY, whether justified or not, has a more distinguished reputation.
Perhaps the competition for students between the two state run Universities has fostered innovation and choice.
Here's my small government/free market take: Divert the subsidies for CUNY's and SUNY's four-year colleges towards Tuition Vouchers for any *New York State* college. Privatize the four-year colleges, but keep the Community Colleges on the state dole, unless there happens to be a private sector group willing to finance community colleges.
My two cents.
City College Alumna here -
Let's face it - you go to a CUNY if you can't afford higher priced schools. It's the school for those with no other means. It's also the school that provides access to the middle class for many. As such the cuts to CUNY are unconscionable. It's very cynical to refuse to raise taxes on upper income individuals and propose this for those who are struggling.
Also remember, private lenders for government guaranteed student loans as drying up. CUNY has taken a lot of flack in the past for not graduating it's students in four years. It's hard to graduate on schedule when you have to work, often full time.
Patterson's daddy paid for his elite schools.
@Thnk twice
Why would you want to take away CUNY's fine graduate schools? CUNY graduate schools are in many cases better than the SUNYs. They are there to serve the same students as the undergrad divisions. As for the "distinguished" reputation of SUNYs, it depends on the individual school and discipline.
the cuts to CUNY are unconscionable. It's very cynical to refuse to raise taxes on upper income individuals and propose this for those who are struggling.
Option 1:
Raise taxes on the shrinking pool of upper income individuals giving them additional incentive to leave the city and go to CT or NJ.
Option 2:
Ask CUNY cut back on its bloated budget.
In 2007, the CUNY Operating Budget was called "the best budget in the University’s history" by Chancellor Matthew Goldstein.
The budget totals $1.438 billion, an increase of $83.5 million for the senior colleges over the current year.
Asking them to cut $51 million when times are tough, a year after they got an $83.5 million increase, doesn't seem so unreasonable.
Concerned alums should feel free to contribute more to their school to help make up for the shortfall.
From a City College Alumnus:
Misappropriated funds don't justify budget cuts, especially when there are so many places where CUNY/SUNY (esp. ccny) still needs /a lot/ of cash put in.
Let's raise accountability within the system and stay involved as many students and faculty are. We have to keep CUNY both reasonably priced and up-to-date so it might continually flourish in terms of its academics and research.
Also, as any CCNY student will know: the burden for this will be taken up by lower-end faculty pay cuts (discouraging an influx of MUCH NEEDED teaching talent) and reduce access to materials.
Remember: an educated populace is what gives government real accountability and helps us progress as a city and a nation!
Let's not rely on multinational corporations to turn our public schools in to recruitment centers! We can't be having departments so disproportionately funded!
Much love
as any CCNY student will know: the burden for this will be taken up by lower-end faculty pay cuts (discouraging an influx of MUCH NEEDED teaching talent) and reduce access to materials.
that's a choice made by CUNY. This isn't about misappropriated funds, this is about a budget shortfall and belt-tightening.
The CUNY budget grew when times were good, and there is nothing wrong with asking it figure out how to scale back by making due with 40% of the increase it received just last year.
CUNY suffers the same problem as every government program. They ALWAYS want more money, and once you give it to them, it becomes the floor for discussions the next year.
Sorry kids, but Daddy didn't make as much this year as he did last, so we're going to have to figure out how to make due with less.
@evakantspel
I don't know where you live but I don't notice any drain of wealthy taxpayers from New York, NYC and Manhattan in particular. These people can afford to pay a higher tax rate than those of more modest means. Your argument might have applied in the 70's. This is the 21st century and as such New York City residents deserve a chance to compete with a quality education at a City University.
There is a long list of accomplished individuals who have contributed to our society due to the free education they received at City College. It's no longer free but let's keep it affordable and competitive.
It's amazing how many politicians want to kill the one good, affordable thing in the entire state. The SUNY system is a great alternative to super-expensive schools that give state residents a way to go to college without putting themselves in 30-years of debt and people can't wait to kill it.
I am SURE you can find other bloat before you start cutting in to SUNY's budget.
@TKaisen
THANK YOU!!