Res. No. 2269

Resolution calling upon Governor Paterson to restore proposed cuts of $53 million to CUNY senior colleges, $9.9 million to CUNY community colleges, $90 million to SUNY schools, and $26.2 million to TAP.

By Council Member Barron

Whereas, The City University of New York (CUNY) is the largest municipal university system in the United States, comprised of 23 institutions, including 11 senior colleges, and six community colleges; and

Whereas, More than 450,000 degree-credit students, including adult, continuing and professional education students, are enrolled at various CUNY campuses located throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and

Whereas, The State University of New York (SUNY) is the nation’s largest comprehensive system of public higher education, comprised of 64 colleges and universities; and

Whereas, Approximately 440,000 full-time and part-time students are enrolled at SUNY, and 1.2 million participate in continuing education programs; and

Whereas, On October 15, 2009, Governor David Paterson announced his Deficit Reduction Plan which included proposed cuts of $53 million to CUNY senior colleges, $9.9 million to CUNY community colleges, and $90 million to SUNY colleges; and

Whereas, State legislators who disagree with the proposed cuts argue that Governor Paterson’s cuts to higher education disproportionately make up more than one-third of the total administrative cuts; and

Whereas, On October 21, 2009, representatives from New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) testified before the New York State Assembly’s Standing Committee on Ways and Means that in the last eighteen months, SUNY’s state-operated campuses have been cut by a staggering $410 million; and

Whereas, Representatives from NYSUT also testified that, in that same time period, CUNY’s senior colleges have sustained an alarming cut of $165 million, including the proposed $53 million cut; and

Whereas, Governor Paterson also proposed to cut $26.2 million from the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which would amount to a $120 reduction in aid for students receiving TAP; and

Whereas, In the 2007-2008 academic year, 75,000 CUNY students received $170 million in TAP awards; and

Whereas, CUNY students comprise about 22% of all New York State students who receive TAP and are also among the poorest in the State; and

Whereas, The Governor’s proposal to cut higher education funding also comes at a time when CUNY imposed a 15% tuition increase that began in the 2009 Fall semester; and

Whereas, SUNY and CUNY colleges, particularly community colleges, are experiencing record-high enrollment and a significant increase in the number of applications; and

Whereas, The proposed cuts would further challenge these institutions’ ability to meet the demands of a rapidly growing student population; and

Whereas, Such cuts may lead to less course offerings, less faculty, larger class sizes and additional tuition increases; and

Whereas, As job opportunities remain scarce, New Yorkers are seeking higher education to develop skills that would enable them to have a competitive edge in the workforce; and

Whereas, Even though there is a need to decrease the State’s budget deficit, it is important to increase support for higher education institutions during these harsh economic times, rather than impose cuts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Governor Paterson to restore proposed cuts of $53 million to CUNY senior colleges, $9.9 million to CUNY community colleges, $90 million to SUNY schools, and $26.2 million to TAP.

LS# 7938

11/10/09

3:13 p.m.

TC