Candidates challenged to stand up for public higher ed

The candidates in the Nov. 5 race for governor need to demonstrate their commitment to public higher education and that they support additional funding to CUNY and SUNY, according to the New York State Public Higher Education Conference Board (NYSPHECB).

"It's time for Gov. Pataki, Comptroller McCall and all other gubernatorial candidates to take a public stand and commit their full support to the State and City University systems," said NYSPHECB Co-chair Dallas Beal. "Just because it's campaign season doesn't mean that campaign rhetoric will suffice. The issues are too serious for that."

Conference Board Vice Chair William Scheuerman agreed, citing a statewide poll from earlier this year that showed New Yorkers overwhelmingly supported public higher education in their state.

"The citizens of New York understand the value of SUNY and CUNY to the overall well-being of our state," Scheuerman said. "We want to make sure the candidates understand that as well."

The New York State Public Higher Education Conference Board is a non-partisan coalition of advocates for public higher education throughout the state. It is made up of representatives from CUNY and SUNY senior and community colleges, students, faculty, unions and others.

Specifically, NYSPHECB challenges the candidates to pledge that, once they are elected, they would commit to:

• No mid-year cuts to CUNY or SUNY.
• No faculty layoffs at CUNY. SUNY Chancellor Robert King has already pledged to avoid budget-related job losses at the state university; CUNY leadership should be made to do the same.
• Fully funded campus-operating budgets for 2003-2004. SUNY has been victimized by zero-growth budgets in recent years that, when inflation and other fixed costs are factored in, actually meant significant cuts. For CUNY, the fiscal situation has been even worse given the combined effects of city and state budget shortfalls.
• Adequate resources to address the needs of increasing student enrollments. CUNY recently reported a 5 percent jump in enrollment for the fall term; SUNY has been experiencing similar increases in recent years and has been forced to cap enrollments at about 2 percent. More students require more faculty, services and support.

"It should be clear to all candidates -- just as it is to the voters -- that public higher ed can and does revitalize New York," Brown said. "Let's hear from them now. We need to know their position on this vital issue before going to the polls in November."