PLATTSBURGH — State University of New York administrators are drooling over Gov. David Paterson's proposed public higher-education reforms.
They're eating up the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act before the meal's been served.
But, for university union employees, the dish is less appetizing than rotten eggs and smells worse.
"We are calling the Empowerment Act 'the Endangerment Act,'" said Dr. David Curry, a Plattsburgh State nursing professor and president of the United University Professions chapter there.
CONCERNS
Critics say Paterson's Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act threatens SUNY's existence. They see it as an attempt to privatize public universities that will push education beyond the reach of the less affluent, while squeezing parents and students for money the state no longer invests.
The union contends the legislation could affect individual jobs while allowing New York state to further abandon its obligation to provide affordable and accessible public education.
LESS STATE MONEY
"If these proposals go forward, the state contribution would be less than it contributed 20 years ago," Curry said.
Paterson's budget would reduce funding to SUNY by $152 million.
"This represents an additional funding cut that, in a span of only two years, reduces state aid to SUNY by some $562 million — nearly $85 million less than it was 20 years ago," UUP President Dr. Phillip H. Smith wrote in a letter to members.
TUITION WORRIES
The union says the legislation will not create jobs but will instead be costly to parents and students, largely because it gives SUNY the power to raise tuition, including differential tuition, without government approval.
The group says that while across-the-board tuition increases are limited to 2.5 times the five-year rolling average of the higher-education price index, differential hikes could be added on top of the limitation.
"A 2-percent increase every year would be rational if that is what it would be," Curry said. "But there would also be differential tuition, which is separate from across-the-board."
Nursing, for example, would be a good place to institute differential tuition, because it is popular, Curry said, but that would limit an applicant's ability to pay.
The proposal does not include any guarantee that student tuition and fees will be restricted to a use benefiting the academic mission of the campus.
That has never been a guarantee, though — the past two years, the State Legislature has kept money generated from tuition increases.
OUTSOURCING
The bill would enable SUNY to enter into public/private partnerships with little oversight, the union said, and removes prior approval by the state comptroller and legislature when making purchases or beginning construction.
UUP says this could result in campuses outsourcing work instead of giving it to union employees.
"Public/private partnerships, once formed, don't necessarily carry any labor protections with them," Curry said.
"If they are not going to threaten our jobs, then why are they asking permission to do it?"
PROS, CONS
Paterson says the bill would bring SUNY in line with other public colleges and universities and stave off steep tuition hikes.
SUNY campus presidents have praised the proposal, saying it would give them the power they need to climb out of a fiscal crisis, while increasing the efficiency of operations.
Critics, including UUP, New York State United Teachers and the Professional Staff Congress, are strongly opposed to the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act.
"This is an attempt to privatize education and take the state out of it," Curry said.
"We are supporters of SUNY. We just don't think this is the right way to do it."
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
P-R File Photo
Related Links
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
SUNY unions concerned about education proposal
Reform could privatize colleges, strap parents, UUP says
- Breaking News
-
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire, but cats likely perished.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
- New Today
-
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
- Local News
-
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
Plattsburgh meeting to address concerns of area child care providers being hit with a fee for union representation even though they never joined the union.
-
Essex County craves sales-tax hike
The extra ¼ percent would bring total sales tax to 8 percent, like neighboring counties.
-
Ernie's Market closes without warning
A sign on the door of the popular Westport store expresses appreciation "to all of our loyal customers."
-
Boy released from hospital following serious injury
Firefighters had to extricate 10-year-old Dawson Dessureault from a car involved in a crash Friday, Feb. 3.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
Council: state budget cuts threaten Adirondacks
Adirondack Council calls for an immediate increase in the state's Environmental Protection Fund and in EnCon staffing.
-
Elizabethtown wastewater plans updated
It is expected that it will take about six months to have the necessary paperwork filed, get permits, receive responses from the property owners to determine hookup locations and get easements.
-
Fort Ti brings in more money
Donations at the national historic landmark increased by 12 percent last year.
-
Saranac Lake sparkles
The Winter Carnival continues through Sunday.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 8, 2012
Clinton Co. Sheriff's Office investigating lost restaurant money; Peruvian arrested at Champlain border.
-
Seniors click toward computer literacy
The Clinton County Senior Computer Club is a great way for seniors to learn computer basics at the Senior Center.
- February 7, 2012
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
The 2 percent deduction from Social Services stipends helps pay for advocacy efforts by the Voice of Organized Independent Child Care Educators. A meeting in Plattsburgh on Thursday will address that issue and others.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
New Essex County courtroom has security issues
There's no line of sight between the judge's bench and the witness stand, so renovations must be made.
-
Meeting of the minds on fake pot
Students were among those who spoke up at a session in Essex County, helping to make a plan to combat the dangers of synthetic marijuana.
-
State considers bobcat management plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public comments on a plan that will help officials adjust hunting and trapping seasons for the species statewide.
-
Two displaced in Westville fire
A woodstove is likely the cause of a blaze that left a farmhouse a total loss, just months after being purchased by an engaged couple.
-
Report: Power project to create many jobs
Champlain Hudson Power Express project is also expected to increase New York state's gross domestic product.
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
- Recent Article Comments
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
