STATEMENT FROM SENATOR TOBY ANN STAVISKY ON
HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING FOR SFY 2011-12
“In his Executive Budget, Governor Cuomo has proposed significant cuts to SUNY, CUNY and HESC. Difficult decisions must be made this year, but they must be made with care and a students’ education is vitally important as they face difficult economic times. A college degree opens doors and offers opportunities for students and communities both today and for the future. I believe that a college education must remain accessible, affordable and of high quality, which needs to weigh heavily on the choices we make.
“These proposed cuts raise some immediate concerns about affordability, as colleges and universities will need to account for decreased funding. The possibility of increasing tuition, for instance, will jeopardize some students’ ability to begin and complete their college degree. The cut to community colleges will sting statewide, particularly Upstate, because when the economy declines people turn to these institutions for quality, affordable retraining.
“I am pleased, however, that the budget proposal includes higher education as an engine of economic recovery as education is vital to success in today’s global economy. But as we move forward, we must focus on strengthening SUNY, CUNY and private college and university programs, not cutting them, to keep New York State competitive in the 21st century.”
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