NYSUT and its higher education leaders are fighting on several fronts to stop a proposal by the state Division of the Budget that could result in larger class sizes, fewer full-time faculty, and the erosion of campus services and hospital patient care around the State University system.

• PHOTO GALLERY: Stop SUNY Budget Cuts

On May 2, several hundred United University Professions members and supporters from as far away as California rallied at the state Capitol to protest recent cuts to the SUNY budget and a state plan that would slash an additional $109 million of SUNY funds. Those cuts would come on top of a $38.8 million funding cut SUNY is already confronting in the recently passed 2008-09 state budget.

"Unless these cuts are restored, SUNY is going to be eventually dismantled," UUP President Phillip Smith told the gathering, most of whom wore hats and T-shirts in the trademark UUP red.

UUP represents 34,000 academic and professional faculty at SUNY.

Speakers ranged from State Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany, to SUNY Albany students Chelsea Cawley and Jessica Reid, to NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin.

"Gov. Paterson has an opportunity to stand tall and stand with us against the Division of the Budget," said Lubin. "This was done administratively; it can be turned around administratively, and that's just what we want to have happen. We're going to be standing right next to you, banging on these doors until we turn this around," said Lubin, accompanied by NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Lee Cutler and Vice President Kathleen Donahue on the Capitol steps.

SUNY Albany sent a busload of UUP members to the rally. Among them was Pierre Joris, a professor of literature.

"I think it is the worst that could happen," Joris said as he contemplated the effect of the potential cuts on his department. "After years of being cut back or kept at the same level, we finally started to move up a bit. And after that slightly positive move — wham! — we get whacked badly."

Calling the proposal "the wrong approach at the wrong time," NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi said the state should be investing more in SUNY and in the students who will ultimately fill the high-quality jobs created in New York.

'Startling reversal'

Lubin noted that SUNY enrollment is at a record high, and research shows that for every $1 spent on SUNY campuses, an additional $8 is returned to the local community.

"This is precisely the time we should be investing more in SUNY as the spark that will ignite upstate New York's economic revitalization," said Lubin.

At the May 2 rally, Lillian Taiz, president of the California Faculty Association, delivered a message of solidarity from her 24,000 members in a rousing address. "Are we states that will hamstring our children, or will we invest in our future?" Taiz asked. "Fight on!"

Sen. Breslin joined the marchers before speaking. Breslin said he believes Gov. Paterson will hear UUP's message.

Speaking to the NYSUT Representative Assembly in April, Paterson noted that despite dire economic forecasts, the state had maintained a strong funding increase to public schools in the 2008-09 budget. In next year's budget negotiations, Paterson said, "We have to extend the same priority to higher ed."

Smith said the state's demand amounts to an impounding of funds that by rights should be spent on desperately needed services for students and patients. And this comes on top of other severe cuts for SUNY in the new budget.

"This is not the state's money," Smith said. "It's tuition and dormitory fees paid by our students. It's hospital revenues paid by our patients and their private insurance."

"Why is the Division of the Budget proposing this, and why is SUNY the primary target?" Smith asked. "It won't balance this budget and it won't save taxpayers a dime."

— Darryl McGrath