Provides for minimum levels of appropriations to the state university of New York, city university of New York and community colleges

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to minimum state appropriations to the state university of New York, city university of New York and community colleges

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation amends the education law to provide a minimum level of state appropriations for operating expenses to SUNY, CUNY and community colleges. The minimum level of support or maintenance of effort required by this legislation ensures that State appropriations to SUNY and CUNY for operating expenses in any state fiscal year shall not be less than the preceding state fiscal year.

Moreover, this bill eliminates the one-third formula for State assistance for community colleges and stipulates that all community colleges are to be full opportunity colleges and defines such term in education law.

Justification

In the 1970's, New York State made an historic, prescient investment in its people by developing and expanding the public higher education system. SUNY, CUNY and the community colleges are a valuable resource for New Yorkers and form a network of public colleges, across the State, that afford access to any resident ready to take advantage of the opportunities they afford to earn a degree that, for most, changes their lives.

As it led the country in investment in higher education, New York State reaped great economic and social benefits and a return in tax dollars from its graduates. Unfortunately, State support has steadily eroded and New York now ranks 47th in support for higher education. Over the last few decades, the State has fallen far behind in its primary obligation to support the public institutions that educate its residents.

New York's future - its economic recovery and its prospects for sustained, healthy growth -largely depends on the financial support that it provides its public institutions of higher education. Throughout the State, public colleges now face almost insurmountable burdens unless there is a renewed commitment to restore and enhance revenue.

This legislation represents a good first step to begin to ameliorate the fiscal problems of SUNY and CUNY as it ensures that these institutions will be held harmless from cuts in operating aid from one year to the next. In addition, it requires that community colleges shall be maintained as open access campuses to all students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The enactment of this legislation will help NY8 meet its obligation to provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education.

Prior legislative history

01/04/06 Referred to Higher Education 2007 S.2165 Referred to Higher Education 2008 S.2165 Referred to Higher Education

Fiscal implications

Unknown.

Effective date

The first of January next succeeding the date it becomes law.