We were hoping that a new year and a new governor would turn a new page when it comes to state funding for SUNY.

Unfortunately, what we got in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed spending plan was the same old story—another bone-deep cut in funding to state-operated campuses and our three teaching hospitals.

The governor slashed SUNY’s state support by 10 percent in his Executive Budget, which would increase the total funding loss for state-operated campuses to about $685 million—or a third of SUNY’s annual operating budget—if it passes.

It’s difficult to say just what the impact of Cuomo’s proposed cuts to our hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse would be, since reduction targets haven’t been identified. But it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that the governor’s plan for massive Medicaid cuts is intolerable and must be rejected, along with his call to eliminate $154 million in state subsidies.

Fortunately, Cuomo’s draft budget is not written in stone. We must work tirelessly to rewrite this bleak chapter by sending a strong message to legislators to “Think Ahead, Invest in Higher Ed.”

This is a time of action for UUPers.

We need you to stand up and speak out against these cuts and proposals. We need you to get involved.

BUILDING BRIDGES

It is imperative that we redouble our coalition-building efforts and align ourselves more closely with area labor federations. Public education is under attack. Organized labor is under attack. It is time to join together with a united voice to fight for fairness and spread the word about the critical importance of proper funding for higher education, and the positive impact union members make at work and in their communities.

UUP is working with New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, a coalition of churches, hospitals, inner city ministries, family health groups and unions—such as NYSUT, CSEA and PEF—to ensure New Yorkers have a quality educational system, affordable health care and housing, and other essentials for job growth and a thriving state economy.

A vibrant public higher education system, one that’s adequately funded, accessible and affordable, is a requisite to reach those goals. We cannot allow the state to reduce SUNY’s funding any further.

SUNY has shouldered far more than its share of reductions, and this trend must be reversed. If it isn’t, expect more of what happened at UAlbany and Geneseo last year, when those campuses announced stinging cuts to humanities and other programs.

Students and parents will find larger classes, fewer instructors and fewer course offerings. Fewer courses would mean an extra year of school—and another year of tuition—for students shut out of classes required for graduation.

ACT II

And then there’s the undying issue of SUNY flexibility.

This year’s plan would permit SUNY to lease campus properties, enter into public/private partnerships with limited oversight and hire services without further approvals from the state comptroller or attorney general. We oppose all those proposals.

However, there are some things we can get behind, like the purchase of goods without the delays inherent in the state comptroller’s approval process.

TIME FOR ACTION

Cuts to SUNY need to stop now. Students can’t afford it. Parents can’t afford it.

SUNY’s future affects the future of hundreds of thousands of New York students looking to public education for a college degree. They have a right to an affordable, quality education, the crux of SUNY’s mission.

We need you, now more than ever, to step up. Please, volunteer to take part in one of our Albany advocacy trips to meet with legislators. Become involved with UUP’s coalition-building efforts. Organize a visit to the home offices of your local legislators. Get involved on your campuses.

Tell everyone you know that investing in SUNY is investing in our future.