SUNY Tuition

For the last seven years, SUNY tuition has remained steady at $3,400 per year. Gov. George E. Pataki has championed that figure as a testament to his commitment to students from low-income households and the ability of New York State to provide cost efficient higher education. While tuition has not been raised, fees have increased almost annually. State granted financial aid for students, such as the Tuition Assistance Program, do not cover those fees, so many students are forced to pay more out-of-pocket each year.

While the thought of increasing tuition may be taboo, it is practical and necessary to improve SUNY's current fiscal state. As indicated by the almost annual rise in UB's comprehensive fee, which is the highest in the SUNY system, our current tuition does not cover all of the services and programs that it needs to. It is also important to note that Albany has continually cut the budget towards SUNY schools, and unless the state intends to funnel more financial resources into the system, raising tuition is the only option to face the increased operating costs for colleges and universities.

There are many people who are opposed to raising tuition, a move already implemented by some SUNY professional schools. Besides Pataki, delegates from the New York Public Interest Research Group and UB's SUNY Student Assembly representatives are advocating keeping tuition at its current rate. At the same time, legislation is pending which may force a cap on the percentage of tuition schools can charge students in fees. While admirable up front, their good will is misleading. A cap on fees in the face of stagnant tuition rates would financially cripple SUNY institutions, especially at a major university like UB. Contrarily, if tuition is raised a reasonable amount, more educational costs will be covered under state aid and more money will be generated by the system.

The state failed to give SUNY more money the last fiscal year, and higher education programs should not have to suffer due to another bare bones budget. Over the past seven years, the SUNY schools have compensated by raising fees. If tuition is raised, fees must not rise, as well. A cap on fees becomes reasonable if and only if the schools are guaranteed the financial resources to support the services currently offered.

Students might be angered at first by proposals to have them spend more money in the short term, but a moderate tuition increase would benefit everyone in the long term. Students would see exponential dividends in the quality of their education through physical improvements and the greater availability of assorted services. Though a higher financial burden may be placed on students who are not from high-income families but are not eligible for financial aid, the cost of doing business is not the same as it was a decade ago, and a SUNY education is still an affordable option.

Many groups insist that by fighting to maintain or lower tuition they are keeping the best interests of students in mind. However, the crunch created by lack of funding is felt throughout the SUNY system, and students are further aggravated by fee increases that are not covered under financial aid packages. If student groups want to stick up for the ideals of the student body, they would lobby for increasing state funding into SUNY, raising tuition and capping fees.

A lot has changed in seven years. Costs have risen for everything from gasoline to movie tickets. It's unrealistic and unreasonable to think that our education costs the same as it did seven years ago. Students and their parents need to realize that it is time to raise tuition and stop fee hikes, so the quality of education can improve. Since the state government no longer gives SUNY enough money to operate at full capacity, fiscal responsibility must be shouldered by those who benefit from the education: the students.