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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Impact of Governor's Budget Proposal on MCC


By now, I expect you have read or heard about the Governor's proposal to reduce community college funding.

New York State's fiscal crisis is no surprise to any of us. Due to Sept. 11 and the economic recession, New York is facing the most financially difficult time in recent history. Thus, I expected that SUNY and the community colleges would face a reduction in state aid in Governor Pataki's proposed budget. However, I did not expect the severity or the disproportionate nature of his proposal.

In summary, we project that this proposal would reduce MCC's state funding by more than $6 million. Students would be further challenged by a change in the Tuition Assistance Program that would withhold one-third of their award until they graduate.

This proposed reduction in state aid will most likely necessitate a tuition increase. While it is too early to know how much, I can say with confidence it will be nowhere near the proposed $1,200 increase facing the state-operated SUNY campuses.

All of us should try to fully understand the state's economic challenges. Of course we all must expect to do more with less. However, I don't believe there is a full understanding in Albany of the proposed reductions' impact on community colleges. In the coming months, I and all community college presidents will be working diligently to educate the executive and legislative branches as to the human consequences of these proposals.

We must keep in mind that the Governor's budget is a proposed budget. We now have the opportunity to work with our state legislators to convince them to restore some community college funding.

I will keep you informed as discussions progress.

R. Thomas Flynn
President
02/03/2003