Letter to Editor

August 28, 2003

Letters to the Editor
The Times Union
Box 15000
Albany, NY 12212

To the Editor:

National studies and business leaders' arguments about New York's need to keep its college students in-state after graduation ("Intellect seen as key to future," Aug. 26) reinforce UUP's long-standing advocacy for strong state support for SUNY.

If New York's competitive advantage will come from college-educated residents, why isn't the state increasing its investment in its public higher education system? Most SUNY students are already New Yorkers, and are much more likely to maintain their residency after graduation. One way to stem the exodus tide of New York college-age students going out of state is a well-funded SUNY system that keeps New Yorkers at home. And to help solidify a strong economic base for the future, SUNY should focus on increasing the numbers of out-of-state students and state policymakers should fortify the foundation of the University now.

The 2003-04 state budget cut public support for SUNY by $183.5 million. Inadequate SUNY budgets will only serve to work against the competitive advantage that New York already enjoys by being home to so many residents with advanced degrees.

In fact, the economic benefits earned from state support in the University begin long before SUNY students graduate. For every dollar the state invests in SUNY, it reaps more than two dollars in return. These revenues are particularly crucial today, as local communities all over New York state are reeling from economic decline and uncertainty.

How can SUNY justify current enrollment caps -- which limit student access to the University -- if real income growth occurs in states with concentrations of college-educated workers and so many New Yorkers leave the state to attend college? It would therefore be in New York's best interest to increase the number of college students it educates at SUNY.

And New York is not only losing its edge when highly educated graduates leave the state; it's also losing highly trained faculty. SUNY is currently experiencing a
brain drain as well-respected, tenured faculty members are lured elsewhere for better salaries and greater security.

SUNY is the future of New York. A stronger investment in SUNY today will strengthen the state's commitment to its intellectual future and will pay large dividends.

Sincerely,

William E. Scheuerman
President, United University Professions