Advocating for Higher Education in New York State

by Johanna Duncan-Poitier, Deputy Commissioner

On February 11, I joined the Commissioner as he testified before the joint legislative fiscal committees as part of the State Legislature's hearings on the Executive budget proposal. We knew this would be a difficult budget for all of New York State, but the Commissioner made a strong case for higher education. It was gratifying that we could cite so many examples of higher education's contributions to New York State. When you look at the accomplishments of this community, you understand how closely we reflect the aspirations and values of our state and nation.

With the budget being proposed, however, we also knew that we had to demonstrate the practical value and operational efficiency of the higher education system--that the tangible and intangible products of the system far exceed the investment. We brought that message to the Legislature, bolstered by a history of achievement and an analysis of higher education's role in meeting some of our most pressing needs. In stressing higher education's enormous contributions to New York State, the Commissioner made it clear that the budget proposal endangered one of the State's premier assets.

We also emphasized the need to close the "achievement gap" by restoring funding for the Tuition Assistance Program, opportunity programs, Teachers of Tomorrow, Bundy Aid, and more--the kinds of programs that help fulfill the promise of higher education. We argued that elimination of these modest investments would ultimately reduce income tax revenues and cause excessive student-debt loads, undermine efforts to improve the graduation rates of minority students, and worsen teacher shortages. We also proposed new funding to provide support services for the increasing numbers of postsecondary students with disabilities.

The Commissioner noted the critical role our vast and varied system of higher education plays in the economic well-being of New York State. We argued that higher education funding is an investment that pays off, enriching our citizens and the State in numerous ways. We also spoke of the important role of The University of the State of New York (USNY), which uniquely links schools, colleges, libraries, museums, licensed professions, vocational rehabilitation programs and more for the benefit of all New Yorkers. Under the Executive budget proposal, this continuum of education would have been fractured by the removal of the professions and vocational and cultural education programs.

Much of what we presented to the Legislature grew out of our conversations with the leadership of all four higher education sectors (SUNY, CUNY, independent and proprietary colleges) and one-on-one discussions with other members of the community. Your insights and advice strengthened the case we made for higher education. Ultimately, the efforts of the higher education community helped to restore critical programs. As I said in the inaugural issue of the Bulletin, we are committed to collaborating to ensure the relevance, integrity, and success of New York's system of higher education.

Thank you for your support and kind comments on the first edition of the Bulletin.