Provides for four year and five year fixed tuitions at the state university of New York and the city university of New York

Subsection two stipulates that after the designated lock-in period, students that continue either as full-time or part-time, are subject to existing tuition rates as established by the SUNY or CUNY Boards respectively.

Subsection three provides that full-time transfer students pay tuition at the existing established rate and that that charge be locked-in for one additional year. After the second year, transfer students shall pay whatever rate has been established by the SUNY or CUNY Boards respectively.

Subsection four limits the tuition increase for entering full-time undergraduate freshman to an. amount consistent with the consumer price index as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics; not to exceed two hundred dollars in any single academic year.

Subsection five establishes provision for a maintenance-of-effort for SUNY and CUNY state operating aid. In addition, section 5 limits tuition in the event that the maintenance-of-effort requirements are not met and provides for no tuition increase in the event that state aid exceeds expected revenue increases for a CPI tuition adjustment.

This bill shall expire and be repealed June 30, 2013.

The amendment allows, in the event that operating aid is equal to or greater than the previous year, the president of such campus, with the consent of the Board of Trustees, to raise tuition.

Justification

One of the fundamental reasons for the creation of a State and City university system was to help provide access to higher education for individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend college. Over the years, the state has continued to do all it can to keep tuition charges as low as possible. Unfortunately, history has shown that at times when the state has faced financial pressures, tuition at SUNY and CUNY have increased substantially. This has placed an unfair burden on those unfortunate enough to be attending college when those tuition increases have been imposed.

This legislation would address this unfair and arbitrarily imposed financial burden by establishing a rational and predictable tuition policy for all New York State residents. The bill provides that whatever the tuition is for those entering college in a particular year, that rate would be guaranteed for four years, or five if it is a five year program. In addition, the bill establishes a maintenance-of-effect provision to ensure continued state support for both systems.

A guaranteed tuition rate policy would aid both students and their families with the financial planning of pursuing a higher education. This change in policy would also provide an incentive for all students to complete their degree requirements using their institution's graduation guidelines.

This new policy would deliver a message to our citizens that New York State not only values, but encourages all of its students who commit to advancement by seeking a college education. This measure allocates the resources to help attain those goals, for both the state and the student.

Legislative history

2003-2004, S.5945; 2005-2006, S.914-B; 2007-08, S.2792.

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2013.