The past few days have been a whirl of information from Albany, so I want to update you on two key announcements with the potential to impact MCC.
On Friday, Governor Paterson proposed the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, which would bring significant and valuable changes to the SUNY system. The majority of the Act focuses on the SUNY state-operated campuses, providing them with greater financial independence and the ability to form stronger public/private partnerships. Because so many MCC students transfer to SUNY institutions, strengthening these universities and the system as a whole will bring benefits to MCC and the greater Rochester area, home to SUNY-Brockport, SUNY-Geneseo, and Alfred State. The streamlined operations proposed by the Act will also benefit MCC, and someday in the future, the college may find the need to make use of the provisions that allow residence hall funding through DASNY and the assignment of differential tuition costs across programs. Taken as a whole, the Education Empowerment and Innovation Act has the potential to move the entire SUNY system forward as a true economic development engine at each stage from research and patent development to training and workforce development. For all of these reasons, MCC joins with Chancellor Zimpher in supporting the act.
Then, on Tuesday, Governor Paterson announced the state’s executive budget. This budget contains new reductions for all sectors of education, including community colleges. As I shared with the Democrat and Chronicle, given New York’s current economic straits, these cuts are not unexpected, but that doesn’t mean we’re not disappointed to see them. Any cut in our state funding will have an impact. However, it is early in the budget process, and certainly, nothing will be settled until the end of the legislative session. Thus, it would be premature at this point to say what the final outcome will be. As part of our budget planning, we have been modeling various scenarios, each reflecting a decrease in state aid, so we will be prepared regardless. It is also important to note that this year — well in advance of the state’s budget announcement — I charged the college-wide Budget Resource Committee (BRC) with helping MCC build the 2010-2011 budget. The goal is to allocate available resources in a manner that reflects the priorities of the entire community — to be proactive, not reactive, in our process. The BRC is finishing its work and will present its recommendations to my office on February 2.
Through this Wednesday message, the monthly "Ask Anne Anything" forums, and department/office meetings, one of my priorities has been to keep the channels of communication open at MCC, and from experience, I can say that this is never more important than when we talk about money. According to news reports, 2010-2011 will be a difficult budget cycle in more than 80% of the states, and unfortunately, New York falls squarely into that majority. As budget talks progress both inside and outside of MCC, my pledge is to keep you in the loop. If you have questions at any point, don’t hesitate to contact me by email, phone, or even visit. As the picture becomes a bit clearer at the state and local level, we’ll schedule some budget forums to share information and promote discussion. Thank you, in advance, for your involvement in the process.
If you have thoughts to share on the Education Empowerment and Innovation Act or the proposed executive budget, please join the discussion at the Wednesday Message Blog at https://www.monroecc.edu/blogs
Anne Kress
President's Office
01/20/2010 |