Letter to Editor

June 16, 2003

Letters to the Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036-3959

To the Editor:

Your June 15th report misstates the reason I attended last week's meeting with legislative leaders ("SUNY Tuition Will Rise, but How Much?"). I was there to advocate for stability for the University, not to discuss tuition.

The state budget reduced public support for the University by $183.5 million. UUP aggressively advocated for full restoration of public funds but the governor and Legislature chose a tuition increase instead. Their stated goal was to provide stability and avoid layoffs; UUP certainly concurs. But now that some faculty are getting layoff notices, it's apparent the expected stability might not be realized.

The SUNY chancellor -- who also says his goal is to attain stability without layoffs -- claims that the budget's large increase in out-of-state tuition would reduce enrollments and revenues. We trust that he bases this conclusion on experience. Nevertheless, one thing remains certain: Students shouldn't pay more for less.

Sincerely,

William E. Scheuerman
President, United University Professions