The newest round of state budget cuts could — on top of cutting aid to Binghamton University by $4.2 million — raise tuition next semester by $300. The University would see only 10 percent of that money.
The cuts, which were proposed Wednesday by New York State Gov. David Paterson, could also eliminate an increase in state aid for the city of Binghamton next year. The governor’s plan must be approved by the New York State Legislature.
“It’s been a very difficult year for New York state, and SUNY of course is dealing with the financial situation as best we can,” said James VanVoorst, interim vice chancellor for the State Universities of New York.
The SUNY Board of Trustees Finance Committee on Monday approved a $4.2 million reduction in state aid for BU. Binghamton President Lois DeFleur said in a statement that the reduction will increase to $5.7 million at the beginning of the 2009-10 budget year.
“These are some of the most challenging times Binghamton University has ever experienced because of national and state fiscal conditions,” she said. “These challenges will continue and we must work together to meet state budget reductions for the SUNY system and the campus.”
DeFleur said she was concerned about the University’s future ability to provide courses and services, which she said BU students deserved.
“We have been working hard to accommodate these serious budget reductions and there will be additional challenges,” she said.
The governor’s proposal, DeFleur said, included eliminating scheduled 2009-10 salary increases.
According to Ronald S. Kermani, the senior vice president for communications of the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation, the new budget cuts and tuition increases would not affect students qualified for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Kermani said this was because tuition for both SUNY and City Universities of New York would still fall below the $5,000 threshold, so all students in need would still be covered.
Part of Paterson’s plan, which is one of three suggested tuition proposals — the other two from SUNY presidents and SUNY Student Assembly, respectively — would also require that the University only retain 10 percent of the tuition increase, or, $30 per student. DeFleur said the remaining 90 percent would be directed to other state uses.
Student Association President Matt Landau said the proposal was unfair to students and families.
“While the Student Association understands that tuition must increase due to the New York state’s financial crisis, we are strongly opposed to any increase that would not directly benefit this University,” he said.
Presidents of SUNY campuses who attended the SUNY Board of Trustees Finance Committee meeting Monday made their own proposal to the group, a tuition increase of $545 next semester, $1,090 a year.
David Belsky, director of communications for the SUNY Student Assembly, said that the Student Assembly was happy the SUNY presidents’ proposal included a rational tuition increase, which means it rises at a consistent rate at consistent intervals.
Still, Belsky said that he did not agree with either the presidents’ or the governor’s proposals because they are such sharp increases.
“We think that it’s completely irrational to expect students and parents to be able to handle an increase of this size,” Belsky said. “Yes, the state’s budget is crumbling, but so is everyone’s budget at home.”
According to Belsky, the rational tuition plan proposed last month by the Student Assembly would be best for the SUNY system. Belsky said Gov. Paterson’s plan did not offer stable or regular tuition increases for SUNY, which a rational tuition plan would provide. He compared the governor’s plan to patching up the SUNY system with a Band-Aid.
“We need a plan that’s going to protect our tuition for years to come,” Belsky said. “The only thing that can do that is a rational tuition increase.”
BUDGET CUTS AFFECT LOCAL AREA
The budget cuts won’t just affect the University, as aid to local municipalities — like the city of Binghamton — is also proposed to be cut. Announced by Gov. David Paterson Wednesday, the cuts would also eliminate a scheduled $61 million increase in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) for the city of Binghamton next year.
Though the proposal hasn’t passed through the New York State Legislature yet, according to Andrew Block, spokesman for the city of Binghamton, the proposed cuts signal the direction that the official budget could go in.
“The Governor’s proposed deficit reduction plan would not put any immediate holes in the city of Binghamton’s budget,” Block said. “But it does raise concerns about Binghamton’s ability … to provide essential services while also providing tax relief for our property and business owners.”
State Sen. Thomas R. Libous compared the mid-year budget cuts proposed to cuts made by former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
“When Gov. Cuomo instituted mid-year budget cuts, it caused total chaos in the state,” Libous said. “Teachers were laid off mid-year and classrooms were interrupted abruptly. Municipalities had to go back and ask for additional money from taxpayers. We need to reduce spending, but we need to do it in an organized way.”
According to DeFleur, the New York State Legislature will discuss Gov. Paterson’s proposals this Tuesday, Nov. 18.
“We must continue to make the case that higher education, specifically Binghamton University, plays a significant role in the state’s future and is essential to its fiscal recovery,” DeFleur said.