We have entered the New York state budget season and many efforts are underway, here at MCC and at SUNY System Administration, to convey our budget priorities and the impact of Governor Spitzer’s proposed budget. I have recently been in touch with state legislators regarding these issues and wanted to share them with you as well.
1. Our top budget priority is an increase of base aid for community colleges. I certainly appreciate Governor Spitzer’s proposed increase of $100/full-time equivalent (FTE) student; however, more is required to move us closer to the state's fair share and to maintain the quality of programs at our community colleges. We are asking the state legislature to add another $92/FTE to the budget, thereby meeting SUNY’s original proposal of a $192/FTE increase.
2. Additional funding for high-needs programs is also important to MCC. Last year’s budget included $100/FTE student enrolled in high-needs programs. Governor Spitzer’s budget did not include the necessary funds to meet that commitment this year (making this year’s state investment effectively $75/FTE), nor did it include the $100 increase we feel is necessary to maintain these economically-important programs. At MCC, the average cost to educate a student is $6,500; the attached document highlights the significantly higher cost of educating students in these highly technical programs and the number of students we enroll in each of these programs.
3. Governor Spitzer’s budget proposes to eliminate the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for students who do not have a high school diploma or a GED, and are admitted to college under the ability to benefit test. I understand and support his interest in addressing questionable financial aid practices at for-profit colleges. However, this proposal as written will also impact community colleges whose mission includes being an access point to higher education. At MCC, 250-300 home-schooled students and high school dropouts enroll each year under the ability to benefit provision. For many of the high school dropouts, we are the first step toward economic self-sufficiency; taking TAP away dashes that hope.
If you would like more information on the state budget and its impact on MCC, please contact me or Director of College and Community Relations Cynthia Cooper. Cynthia will have information to share in the very near future on ways you can convey your position on these issues.
R. Thomas Flynn
President
03/05/2007
Attachments:
 High Needs fact sheet.doc
|