ALBANY - State University of New York students could be paying 5 percent more for tuition next year, but could also benefit from smaller class sizes if a new budget proposal goes through.
The proposal, approved Tuesday by the SUNY board of trustees, would add 1,000 more full-time faculty members at schools around the state and nudge in-state tuition to $4,570 per year from $4,350. The increase is part of a 2008-2009 budget request.
“We're really trying to bring the state university up to where it should be among the nation's leaders,” SUNY Interim Chancellor John Clark said.
SUNY officials argue the tuition increase would be modest compared to past years, and would prevent large jumps in tuition.
The last increase in SUNY tuition was 28 percent in 2003.
Richard Austin, an accounting major at SUNY New Paltz, said students were more likely to struggle with the large expense of books at the beginning of each semester than the tuition increase.
“Obviously, since I'm paying tuition, it's not a good thing for me personally,” Austin said. “But I understand the need for an increase.”
Clark also said students would see an immediate benefit from the tuition increase as faculty is added.
“Every dollar” would be committed to that purpose - rather than going to other projects or new facilities that wouldn't be complete until current students have graduated, Clark said.
The system is asking the state for $2.38 billion for the next fiscal year's operating budget - a $287 million increase. That money would go to all state schools, community colleges and teaching hospitals.
SUNY would cover any additional costs by eliminating unnecessary spending and through philanthropy.
The request now goes to the Division of Budget before it is considered as part of the governor's budget presentation. It would then have to be enacted with the next budget and approved by the Legislature.
Officials from the governor's office did not return calls for comment.
The enrollment at SUNY campuses has steadily increased and officials want the state to fully fund the campus' mandatory costs, which include collective bargaining and enrollment growth.
The new faculty would be from various disciplines and would be hired based on the needs of each campus.
SUNY's overall enrollment is 426,891 students.
It's the largest comprehensive university system in the country with 64 campuses and 7,669 degree programs.
“We're really trying to bring the state university up to where it should be among the nation's leaders,” SUNY Interim Chancellor John Clark said.
SUNY officials argue the tuition increase would be modest compared to past years, and would prevent large jumps in tuition.
The last increase in SUNY tuition was 28 percent in 2003.
Richard Austin, an accounting major at SUNY New Paltz, said students were more likely to struggle with the large expense of books at the beginning of each semester than the tuition increase.
“Obviously, since I'm paying tuition, it's not a good thing for me personally,” Austin said. “But I understand the need for an increase.”
Clark also said students would see an immediate benefit from the tuition increase as faculty is added.
“Every dollar” would be committed to that purpose - rather than going to other projects or new facilities that wouldn't be complete until current students have graduated, Clark said.
The system is asking the state for $2.38 billion for the next fiscal year's operating budget - a $287 million increase. That money would go to all state schools, community colleges and teaching hospitals.
SUNY would cover any additional costs by eliminating unnecessary spending and through philanthropy.
The request now goes to the Division of Budget before it is considered as part of the governor's budget presentation. It would then have to be enacted with the next budget and approved by the Legislature.
Officials from the governor's office did not return calls for comment.
The enrollment at SUNY campuses has steadily increased and officials want the state to fully fund the campus' mandatory costs, which include collective bargaining and enrollment growth.
The new faculty would be from various disciplines and would be hired based on the needs of each campus.
SUNY's overall enrollment is 426,891 students.
It's the largest comprehensive university system in the country with 64 campuses and 7,669 degree programs.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.