As the details of Governor Spitzer's 2008-2009 State Executive Budget land on the cluttered desks of Albany lawmakers, the recent preliminary report of the New York State Commission on Higher Education is expected to continue to be a subject of budgetary hearings by the Assembly and Senate Higher Education Committees and impact on budgetary negotiations.
Appointed last May by the governor, the statewide panel issued major findings and recommendations in its Dec. 17, 2007 report (visit www.cuny.edu ) – including a new Statewide Compact for Public Higher Education, based on the CUNY model. Its final report is expected in June 2008.
The commission's preliminary report was blunt in its concern over the state's continuing ability to compete educationally and economically. "If we're going to rebuild New York, we have to invest in New York and tighten our belts in other areas," Gov. Spitzer said as the report was released. Referring to the need for more full-time faculty – one of the City University's top priorities – and to the importance of higher education to the state's economic development prospects, he noted, "Where the great universities are, there the jobs have migrated."
Kenneth Adams, president of the Business Council of New York State, which has been urging a focus on research to draw jobs to the state, said the Commission's report should "attract people across party lines.
"It is fraught with challenges politically, but it is about trying to restore the competitive edge of New York State," said Adams. "It's very bold, but we can't afford not to do it."
The commission strongly endorsed extending the successful CUNY Compact to SUNY as well. Under the "New York State Compact for Public Higher Education," the State and City would fund the two universities' mandated costs – such as labor contracts, benefits and energy – and at least 20 percent of each university's master investment plan. The universities, in turn, would commit to raising private funds as a permanent source of financing for programs; to increasing enrollment and to reshaping their budgets both to achieve greater efficiencies and to redeploy saved funds to meet classroom goals.
There would be modest, predictable tuition increases instead of the sudden, large hikes of past years. Students who were unable to afford the tuition increases would be protected: full Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) aid for needy students would be maintained.
The Compact has been hailed by business and education leaders as critical to ensuring the stable funding needed for educational quality. CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein said: "As The City University of New York has affirmed since introducing the CUNY Compact two years ago, a partnership among stakeholders is critical to generating the resources necessary for true investment. New York must take strong, uncompromising steps to foster excellence within its public higher education institutions."
The Chancellor noted that the commission's "recommendation to rebuild the CUNY and SUNY faculty ranks through the hiring of a minimum of 2,000 additional full-time faculty over the next five years is crucial to achieving genuine progress.
"In 1975, CUNY employed more than 11,000 full-time faculty," he said. "Today, 6,500 full-time faculty work at the University. This is a decrease of more than 40%, although our student enrollment has grown to its highest level in over three decades. The commission's recommendation would help to reverse this pronounced decline."
Sy Sternberg, the chair of the CUNY Business Leadership Council added, "A strong network of public colleges and universities, a vibrant, competitive research base and a diverse, well-educated citizenry will establish New York State as a global leader in innovation."
CUNY's budget request for the 2008-09 fiscal year calls for the hiring of 500 full-time faculty, including 100 linked to the Decade of Science initiative. The City University seeks a total of $2.364 billion, including $164.9 million in new funds – $83 million for baseline needs and $81.9 million of programmatic increases.
The increased costs will be funded under the Compact for the third year. Of those, CUNY is seeking $114.3 million in State/City aid ($101.1 million from the State and $13.2 million from the City) to fully fund mandatory costs and 30 percent of programmatic costs. The remainder will be financed through an unprecedented focus on philanthropic support, budget restructuring and efficiencies, and revenues from enrollment growth and a modest tuition increase.
The Commission report also outlined these proposals:
- Hire 2,000 new full-time faculty, including 250 "eminent scholars," at CUNY and SUNY to rebuild depleted teaching ranks.
- Create a $3 billion Empire State Innovation Fund to support meritorious scientific research important to New York's future.
- Establish the New York State Compact for Public Higher Education to clearly delineate shared public-private responsibility for delivering and accessing public higher education funds.
- Create a low-cost student loan program for residents attending college in the state.
- Develop Educational Partnership Zones in high-need school districts to encourage collaboration from pre-kindergarten to graduate school.
- Clear the $5 billion backlog of critical maintenance at CUNY and SUNY through a 10-year program of capital reinvestment.
The Legislature will conduct hearings into the budget requests of CUNY, SUNY and other state agencies ahead of final budget negotiations between the governor and Legislature. State Senator Kenneth LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, called hearings in January on student aid issues. Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan, a commission member and chair of the Assembly's Higher Education Committee, said that her committee would hold its own hearings on the 85-page report.
For report, see www.cuny.edu/newswire , and type "commission" in search box
