A union-wide mobilization is under way to tell lawmakers they need to reject the governor's plan to slash the City University of New York budget by $53 million and the community college budget by $33 million and restore funds to the State University of New York — in numbers far higher than the $90 million the governor has already slashed from the SUNY budget.

As New York Teacher went to press, the Legislature was scheduled to meet Nov. 10 in special session to consider the governor's proposal.

"This struggle touches all NYSUT members, because the economic reach of our public colleges and universities goes way beyond the campuses," NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin said.

"Colleges and universities are also terrific incubators for collaborative efforts with local businesses and entrepreneurs, so they help us attract talented young people to New York and encourage them to stay here," he said.

Considering that New York has already lost tens of thousands of jobs and whole industries in the recession, "Why in the world would Governor Paterson devastate one of our best hopes for reviving our state economy?" Lubin said.

The cuts, and proposals to cut even more, come at a time when higher education institutions are experiencing record enrollments, causing overcrowded classes and straining programs and services. SUNY and CUNY have a combined total enrollment of about 670,000 students.

Both systems were subject to midyear cuts exceeding $275 million last year.

Add to those totals current-year budget cuts of $172 million to SUNY and $44 million to CUNY. All told, SUNY has been cut $410 million in the last 18 months.

Public higher education is not the only system affected: The governor has also proposed a nearly $700 million cut at the K-12 level. (See related story.)

The governor's proposed cuts to K-12, to CUNY and to the community colleges in the CUNY and SUNY systems require legislative approval because they fall under the Aid to Localities portion of the state budget.

Rather than cut school and higher-education funding, the Paterson administration has several alternatives that would save the state money and help close its deficit, union leaders have said.

They include tapping into New York's "rainy day" reserve fund; bulk purchasing; ending the hiring of outside consultants; and implementing an array of energy cost-saving initiatives statewide.

The Professional Staff Congress and CUNY students were supported by members of NYSUT and its affiliates, United University Professions and the United Federation of Teachers, at a rally in Manhattan late last month to protest the cuts.

PSC President Barbara Bowen was joined by Lubin, NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, UFT Secretary Michael Mendel and UUP President Phil Smith at the podium on Fifth Avenue.

"There is tremendous power when we all come together with a single message: Hands off higher ed!" Bowen told the cheering crowd.

More than 300 unionists, students and community activists joined forces for that event, which started at the Hunter College campus and ended at Central Park.