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Put UB at the top of Governor Paterson's agenda
While Governor Paterson's budget included some of UB's proposed regulatory reforms, more needs to be done in order to implement UB 2020 and have the economic impact that Western New York needs. The governor should make UB 2020 his number one economic development priority for WNY. He can start by reforming outdated regulations that slow UB's growth and restrict its flexibility. That's the only way we will realize plans that will bring more than 10,000 new jobs and well over $1 billion more in annual economic impact to the region by 2020. Contact Governor Paterson and urge him to make UB 2020 his top economic development priority for WNY and give UB the flexibility and regulatory relief it needs. Feel free to use the letter below, or create a custom letter (click here to learn more about UB's legislative priorities).
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , As a supporter of the University at Buffalo, I urge you to make UB 2020 the centerpiece of your economic development strategy for Western New York and begin by reforming outdated regulations that slow UB's growth and restrict its flexibility. New York State must develop a globally competitive, diversified economy. UB, New York's leading public research university, can make that possible - if the state provides needed investments over the long term and no-cost high-impact regulatory reforms now. The University at Buffalo has developed UB 2020, a strategic plan that will transform SUNY's largest and most comprehensive campus into a model 21st-century public university. We need a strong university to drive economic development in Western New York. Please include UB in your economic development agenda and implement the policy reforms UB is requesting during your budget negotiations. Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
Without a rational tuition policy as the foundation for investment in UB 2020, Western New York will not realize the promise of 10,000 new jobs and an additional $1 billion in annual economic impact to the region.
A rational tuition strategy
The challenge. SUNY's history is marked by large and utterly unpredictable increases in tuition imposed by Albany every several years, when the state is in budgetary crisis. Implemented to replace state funding withdrawn from SUNY, these increases have done nothing to grow the net resources of the university. This is not a tuition policy. While these tuition increases may be convenient for New York to balance its budget, their true effect is to force students to pay more and get less. This ad hoc "tuition roulette" practice is as unpredictable as it is irrational.
Moreover, the current practice has hampered the university's ability to provide New Yorkers with access to a high-quality education. It has starved the university of revenue it would use to improve quality and increase financial aid. It is a mistake to believe that keeping tuition artificially low is the best way to help disadvantaged students. Our children deserve access to excellence. Access without excellence is discrimination.
In addition, SUNY is required to charge similar tuition rates for similar programs without regard for the differential costs of supporting a program on different campuses or for what the degree means for recipients' earning potential. As a public research university, UB bears additional costs beyond those incurred by the smaller four-year colleges within SUNY. However, those costs are not reflected in UB's tuition rate. Unlike other universities, UB is prohibited by the state from charging a fee that would allow it to recoup its costs and still be a fair-market value for students.
The solution. Small, regular increases in tuition would provide the university with predictable funding to support high-quality programs and allow parents and students to better plan and budget for expenses.
A rational tuition policy will allow UB to invest in excellence, while at the same time expanding access to excellence. More resources would be applied by the university to need-based aid, opening the door to a UB education to many more low-income New York students. The two must go hand-in-hand. Access without excellence is discrimination.
We know this will work because for ten years we've had the limited authority to gradually raise the tuition for UB's Law School. Even after a decade of regular, small increases, our Law tuition remains one of the lowest among our peers. The increased resources have allowed UB Law to provide one of the most innovative and affordable programs in the nation—while offering substantially more financial aid. The Law School has been able to make extraordinary strides in its academic quality, while enhancing its commitment to diversity and access, thanks to a rational tuition policy which provides resources to the Law School.
UB needs to be able to set tuition levels that take into account its mission, costs, and needs. The ability to do so has been an essential element in the success of outstanding public research universities in California, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and many other states. And that flexibility needs to come with a guarantee that UB's state funding would remain stable and not be reduced because of its higher tuition rates.
To send a letter to your legislators and the governor, please click here.
