PETER VALLONE
Candidate's website

1. COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING:
State Education Law mandates that the City fund one-third of CUNY community college's overall budget, but that level of funding has not been met for nearly a decade.
(a) Do you plan to increase City funding for CUNY?
(b) By how much?
(c) Over what period of time?

As Speaker of the New York City Council I have time and again demonstrated my commitment to public higher education. In the last decade, the Council has continuously restored cuts and provided further enhancements to CUNY's budget totaling over $110 million. As Mayor my I will continue my strong commitment for CUNY including increased funding for CUNY programs.

2. TUITION:
In the 1970's, tuition at CUNY was free. Today, CUNY tuition costs $3,200 at the four-year colleges and $2,500 at the two-year colleges.
(a) Do you support a decrease in CUNY tuition?
(b) If yes, for what academic year do you plan to implement such a reduction?
(c) Would this be a reduction for all CUNY students? Please explain.
(d) Would you return CUNY to the free tuition days of the 1970's?

I remember when tuition at CUNY schools was free, and all New Yorkers had access to higher education. I support efforts to make CUNY affordable to New Yorkers from all economic backgrounds and have implemented programs to make this a reality. For example, under my leadership the Council established the City Council Academic Scholarship (formerly known as the CUNY Merit Scholarships). This scholarship is available to students graduating from a public or private New York City high school with a B average or better who wish to attend a senior or community college full-time. Scholars receive $1,450 per year, which pays for nearly half the cost of tuition. It is programs like this that will help more and more New Yorkers get the education they deserve.

3. CHILDCARE:
Over 60% of CUNY students are parents, and the majority of this number attend community colleges.
(a) What plans might you have to assist students who are parents?
(b) How would these ideas be reflected in both the City and State budgets?

Being a parent should not prevent the pursuit of higher education. Flexible class schedules, increased distance learning programs and on-site daycare are all methods that can assist parents to attend school. I will work with CUNY to determine the feasibility of implementing such programs.

4. WELFARE:
Last fall, the Work-Study/Internship Bill, which allows students on public assistance to count their campus work-study and internships, was written into State law.
(a) Would you continue to support that legislation?
(b) In addition, would you support legislation that would allow college education (i.e. class attendance) to count as work activity?
(c) Would you initiate such legislation?
(d) What else might you do to assist college students on public assistance?

I support allowing campus work-study and internships as work for students receiving public assistance. In fact, I fought to help make this a reality in New York State. Clearly, public assistance recipients who are enrolled in college are trying to gain the skills they need to obtain long-term gainful employment and we must encourage those efforts. I also support allowing college class attendance to count as work for public assistance recipients.

5. FINANCIAL AID:
According to a National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education's report (Measuring Up 2000: The State-by-State Report Card for Higher Education), New Yorkers who send dependents to college spend more than 1/3 of their family income on higher education-even after financial aid is deducted. This seems to indicate that financial aid, specifically the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), must be expanded.
(a) Do you agree with this statement?
(b) Would you promote and/or support legislation that will enhance TAP and financial aid?
(c) What are some ways you might do so?

It seems that college tuition is always rising, which forces families to struggle to pay for school why paying other ordinary living expenses. I support enhancements to financial aid, including the Tuition Assistance Program, which will enable more families to afford to send their children to college. As Speaker, I have advocated on behalf of New York City families and students at the state and federal levels, and as Mayor I will continue to do so.

  At CUNY's community colleges, full-time faculty represent 44% of the total faculty, while part-time faculty or adjuncts represent 56% of instruction. At the senior college level, CUNY is at a 51% to 49% full-time to part-time ratio. Overall, since 1974, CUNY has lost nearly one-half of their entire full-time faculty.
(a) Do you support the need for more full-time faculty lines?
(b) If so, what ratio between full-time and part-time do you deem as reasonable for a high-quality education, and over what period of time would you plan to implement this ratio?

I support the need for more full-time faculty at CUNY community and senior colleges. In addition to teaching their courses, full-time faculty are able to advise students, work with small groups and participate in university life. All of these functions are integral aspects of the education students get at CUNY. I would not suggest an optimal ratio of full-time to part-time faculty. Part-time faculty and adjuncts are valuable insofar as they can provide specialized instruction and course offerings that might not otherwise be available. Each college must find the balance required to meet the needs of its student population, and the City should allocate the necessary funding.

  Merit scholarships, such as the New York City Council Merit Award, provide incentives for academically talented students to attend CUNY. This year, Mayor Guiliani proposed to cut this program in his budget.
(a) If elected, would you support the next Mayor to do the same?
(b) Would you consider establishing additional merit incentives for NYC students?
(c) If yes, please give some examples (e.g. areas of study, merit criteria, etc.).

As Speaker of the New York City Council, I established the New York City Council Merit Award, which cuts tuition in half for students who graduated from a City high school with a "B" average or better. I am so proud that we have already been able to help more than 25,000 students to date. I am committed to this program and others like it that makes college affordable to New Yorkers. As Mayor, I would work to expand and not cut this program.

8. COLLEGE NOW:
College NOW is a CUNY initiative that helps New York City high school students prepare for college through extra academic assistance and training courses at their school and on various community college campuses.
(a) Do you support the College NOW program?
(b) Would you increase funding to enable expanding College NOW?
(c) If yes, by how much and over what period of time?

I support the College Now program. Under my leadership as Speaker, I have committed funding to expand the program. It is expected that by 2003 the program will serve 45,000 students from 220 high schools. As Mayor, I will continue to expand the program so that College Now is found in all high school, enabling all students who want to participate in the program to do so.

9. REMEDIATION:
Last year, the CUNY Master Plan removed remediation from its four-year colleges. Now, extra academic assistance and tutoring are only available to students studying at CUNY's community colleges.
(a) Do you agree with this action?
(b) Why or why not?
(c) Would you restore remediation to the four-year campuses?

I do not agree with the CUNY Board of Trustee's decision to limit access to CUNY. I believe it is crucial that we preserve access to higher education. Moreover, State law requires that CUNY provide access and education for all. An open admissions policy and remedial education are the most effective tools we have to ensure compliance with the law and fulfillment of CUNY's mission. As Speaker I have called for open access for all students who want to attend college and as Mayor I will continue to advocate this position.

10. CAPITAL PROJECTS:
With the institution of the CUNY Master Plan and the shift of remediation to the community colleges, some would claim that the community colleges need more basic infrastructure resources such as buildings and technology.
(a) Do you agree with this argument?
(b) If so, are you prepared to propose and to fight for money for capital projects so that the community colleges can successfully absorb CUNY's Master Plan?
(c) What are some ways you might do this?

The City and State split financial responsibility for capital funding of the University's six community colleges and Medgar Evers College. Over the past 10 year under my leadership, the Council has committed approximately $44 million for capital projects. This money has been used to improve computer and technology enhancements, athletic field rehabilitation, science lab upgrades, as well as a whole assortment of projects that enhance the educational undertakings and quality of life on CUNY campuses. As Mayor, my commitment to CUNY's community colleges will remain. I will provide capital dollars to these schools so that they can meet their mandate and provide solid educational opportunities to New Yorkers.

12. PRIORITIES:
While many individuals may be committed to a certain issue, they often also have a prioritized list.
(a) What are your top three higher education priorities?
(b) Please list and explain.

I am completely committed to CUNY. As Mayor, I will work to see that anyone who wants to attend college in New York City is able to do so. I will work to see that CUNY has the resources it needs, so that all the hardworking students who earn their degrees graduate with a strong, sound education that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.   

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