With legislative leaders adding millions more in operating aid and clearing the way for funds to be used to increase full-time faculty, the state's commitment to higher education is moving in the right direction.

"Revitalizing New York's economy is critical to Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the state Legislature," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi. "This budget shows they recognize New York's public colleges and universities are an important part of that building effort."

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin said, "We're definitely headed in the right direction. Last year's record commitment to higher education funding and the commitment the governor and Legislature have shown this year is a start toward righting years of chronic underfunding."

Operating aid to the State and City university systems and community colleges was increased more than $273 million over last year's allocations, with an additional $645 million in capital aid.

The State University of New York received a $160.5 million increase in operating aid, which includes $10 million added by the Legislature to the governor's budget that may be used to hire additional full-time faculty.

The City University of New York also received increases - up $78 million over last year with the Legislature adding $6.2 million that may be used for hiring full-time faculty.

The state's community colleges received a sizeable investment - aid was increased $50 per full-time equivalent student on top of the governor's $100 proposed increase. The investment puts per-student state aid at $2,675.

The Legislature did not authorize tuition increases for SUNY or CUNY.

Economic growth

For years, union leaders have been lobbying hard to ensure proper funding to the public higher education system. "Higher education is what ultimately will fuel economic growth across New York," Lubin said.

NYSUT has been pressing the Legislature to provide the much-needed funding enhancements the colleges require to meet the needs of their burgeoning student populations. The union's recent lobby day devoted to higher ed issues drew strong participation from leaders around the state.

NYSUT's higher ed affiliates have been delivering the message to the governor and state legislators as well, using multi-media and creative approaches.

United University Professions, led by William Scheuerman, and the Professional Staff Congress, led by Barbara Bowen, launched advertising campaigns highlighting the value of public higher education.

Both campaigns are featured on the NYSUT Web site, www.nysut.org.

UUP, representing academic and professional faculty at SUNY, ran a TV ad and a series of print ads focusing on the key role SUNY plays in contributing to New York's economy and educating its students.

The PSC, representing academic and professional faculty at the City University, ran a print and TV campaign showing the impact that funding cuts have had on CUNY.

Higher ed unionists, including representatives from the state's community colleges, represented by NYSUT Board member Ellen Schuler Mauk, brought their concerns directly to their local legislators at NYSUT-sponsored lobby days in February and March. Schuler Mauk is president of the Faculty Association at Suffolk County Community College.

Other budget highlights

Small community colleges (with under 2,000 FTE students) will receive $1 million under a new aid program. Funding was high-needs programs was also maintained in the higher education budget.

The Legislature restored the governor's proposed $4.2 million cut in Bundy aid for private colleges and universities and rejected more than $17 million in cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program. Funds to educational opportunity programs were increased as well.

Health care professionals also received a boost. The Patricia McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship and the Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive programs received $4 million in funding. Eligibility for the program was expanded this year to include doctorate program awards.

"There is still much work to do," Lubin said, noting lawmakers have not yet addressed NYSUT's concerns over the Berger Commission recommendation to privatize SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse (see article next page).

- Clarisse Butler Banks and Kevin Hart