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New York Fails Again
New York has failed again. This time the failure came in a national report examining the affordability of college. The report gave an “F” to New York’s policies to keep college affordable. While an “F” is disturbing, sadly it was not surprising. Over the past fifteen years, New York has adopted an unspoken, but deliberate policy of shifting the cost of higher education from the state to students and their families. As a result, public college tuition rates have increased, as well as the required fees charged directly by the State University system. When the policy of government is to increase tuition and reduce financial aid, college becomes less affordable. And the state’s policies are often deceptive. Take the finances of community colleges. New York law limits the portion paid by community college students to no more than one-third the cost and requires the state to pay forty percent. Thirty years ago, state aid paid for roughly 40 percent of the cost of attending community college, while students covered 30 percent through their tuition. Starting in the early 1990s, student tuition costs began to increase. Today, students pay nearly 40 percent of community college costs, while the state covers just 30 percent – the exact opposite relationship than is mandated in state law. How does the state ignore its own law? While state lawmakers made the laudable promise to limit community college students’ costs, there is simply no way for it to bind future budgetary decisions. Under the state constitution, current budget decisions cannot be binding on future budgets. Each year lawmakers simply repeal the legal requirement that limits student tuition and mandate state support. A politically-popular promise made decades ago has fallen victim to the cold budgetary concerns of today. Why do lawmakers make such decisions? The rationale is simple, they want to increase state revenues and they know that students and their families simply do not have the political clout, much less the awareness of how, to pressure lawmakers into rectifying this inequity. It’s much easier to offer more spending for programs with a few powerful constituencies while hacking away at programs that benefit the disorganized many. It may make sense politically, but it makes no sense for the state’s future. Despite some improvements in state support this year, over time when it comes to higher education policymaking, New York deserves an “F” too. So what should be done? Key steps must include:
The new governor should reject the wrongheaded higher education policies that have gripped New York for too long. The new governor should lead the way in this enlightened approach by basing policymaking on the needs of New York, not simply cater to the politically well-connected. If the new governor can do that, maybe New York will start getting some passing grades. That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week. |
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