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January 18, 2010

Colleges applaud reform plan Paterson

Paterson budget would give colleges tuition control

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH — In an attempt to end what he referred to as "Albany micromanaging," Gov. David Paterson is proposing higher-education reforms that include allowing the State University of New York and City University of New York to set their own tuition rates.

Local college presidents lauded the proposals, saying they would enable their institutions to foster economic growth and workforce programs and better prepare students for jobs of the future.

"The governor's plan is the most sweeping reform of public higher education in decades," said Clinton Community College President John Jablonski. "By using high-impact, zero-cost solutions, the legislation will create jobs, build the foundation for tomorrow's economy and strengthen public higher education — while saving millions of taxpayers dollars."

MORE AFFORDABLE
Part of Paterson's 2010 Executive Budget, which will be released today, includes the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act. He accused Albany of micromanaging nearly everything at schools, hindering any chance at adapting to changing educational and fiscal climates.

"We must provide our institutions of public higher education with the freedom and flexibility they need to drive development both on campus and off, preparing our students for the new economy jobs that will propel New York forward," Paterson said.

Under his plan, tuition increases would no longer be determined by the legislature, though SUNY and the City University of New York would be restricted to incremental increases that are no more than 2.5 times the rolling five-year average of the Higher Education Price Index.

SUNY's yearly tuition for state residents is currently $5,070.

"A rational tuition policy for our students and an end to overregulation, if approved by the state legislature, would go a long way toward making a public education more affordable to students and toward creating jobs," said Plattsburgh State President Dr. John Ettling.

SUNY would be able to receive and disburse revenues from tuition and self-supporting program activities without an appropriation and State Legislature approval. Further, SUNY would be able to implement differential tuition rates for programs and campuses based on the recommendation of the college president and in accordance with guidelines outlined by trustees.

"Unfortunately, students and their families have borne an unfair burden as a result of budget crises in Albany," Ettling said. "To address shortfalls, the State Legislature increases tuition substantially to help close those gaps, and students are forced to take on additional loans to pay for their college education. If, instead, tuition were gradually increased when necessary — and those increases went to the individual campuses instead of to the general fund — students and their families would be able to anticipate and plan for the true cost of attending college."

WIN-WIN
Paterson's proposals would also remove provisions of existing law subjecting SUNY to pre-approval of contracts by the State Comptroller's Office.

"There have been countless times when contracts have been held up for months waiting for pre-approval from Albany while critical needs went unaddressed," Ettling said. "Changes have been made to contracts due to the length of time between a vendor's proposal and approval. This reform would go a long way in saving precious state funding that can then be used to educate students and create new jobs, especially in today's fragile economy."

Jablonski said campuses such as Plattsburgh State would benefit the most from Paterson's proposals, though CCC has much to potentially celebrate, specifically the ability to set differential tuition at different campuses and in various programs.

"This is a key for the development of certain career and technical programs at the community college," Jablonski said. "For example, it is much more costly to deliver high-technology and health-care programs than it is to offer programs in the liberal arts. Until now, the one-size-fits-all tuition policy at community colleges has been a disincentive for the expansion and growth of these sorely needed programs."

The legislation would authorize the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to finance and construct facilities on behalf of state-operated and community-college affiliates such as the Faculty Student Association at Clinton, which operates residence halls, the campus bookstore and cafeteria operations.

"At a time of reflection and renewal throughout the North Country, this legislation will provide us with the flexibility to create and shape our career programs, join with our private sector in new partnerships and continue to be good financial stewards," said Dr. Carol Brown, president of North Country Community College.

She praised parts of the legislation that would provide for new private-public partnerships.

"I know from my experiences these types of relationships are a win-win for everyone," Brown said. "The college is part of a collaboration that builds and strengthens the economic- and work-force-competitive edge of a region.

"This act is a major step in creating cost-effective educational environments that will create jobs and build the foundation for tomorrow's economy for the state of New York."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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