The executive budget holds SUNY's and CUNY's instructional core budgets flat from last year's funding level, which actually represents a decrease in full-time equivalent (FTE) student funding when adjusted for inflation. This has been the case for many years and has become an insidious trend that severely impacts not only students across the state, but our members, as well.
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to ask lawmakers to support significant funding increases for SUNY and CUNY in this year's budget!
In the case of SUNY, campuses are facing difficult decisions concerning the potential elimination of programs, declining student services, and inadequate resources. At CUNY, the PSC is currently in contract negotiations, but the university has been unwilling to put a financial offer on the table because they do not have the funding to make an offer. Meanwhile, adjunct faculty who make up the vast majority of the instructional staff, are not being paid a living wage.
In addition, even as SUNY and CUNY have been forced to deal with flat funding since 2011, the executive budget proposes to eliminate the $87 million state subsidy to the SUNY hospitals.
Our public universities should not have to deal with these unwarranted austerity budgets year after year, and our hospitals should be rewarded—not penalized—for providing health care services to the indigent.
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to ask lawmakers to support significant funding increases for SUNY and CUNY in this year's budget!
This week, hundreds of faculty and students from SUNY and CUNY are traveling to Albany to advocate for additional funding. Even if you can't join them, you can support them by contacting lawmakers today!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President
P.S.: Take action now! Support increased funding for SUNY & CUNY in this year's budget!