Skip to main content

MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday's Message


I am writing this brief message from the basement cafeteria in the Longworth Office Building in Washington, DC, where Cynthia Cooper and I are meeting with our federal delegation. We're here to attend the National Community College Legislative Summit along with colleagues and trustees from 35 states.

Unfortunately, the budget picture in DC is no better than it is in NY. Of greatest concern are proposed midyear cuts to Pell Grants. Even with MCC's tuition being the second lowest in SUNY, more than 50% of our students qualify for this form of financial aid--meaning they fall into the greatest category of need. While it is clear that federal spending and the deficit must be addressed, we are sharing a consistent message with our delegation: please do not begin to close the door of access to higher education, economic opportunity, and jobs creation for our students and community.

I will share more about the impact of proposed state budget cuts, enrollments, and MCC's role in the college completion agenda (among other topics) at the spring Message to the College Community: March 1 on Brighton at 12:30, and March 2 at DCC at noon.

See you there!

As always, I welcome your questions or comments.

Anne

    Anne M. Kress
    President
    02/16/2011