{"id":2029,"date":"2018-02-26T10:39:33","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T15:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nypirg.org\/capitolperspective\/?p=2029"},"modified":"2018-02-26T10:39:33","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T15:39:33","slug":"lawmakers-return-debate-higher-education-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nypirg.org\/capitolperspective\/lawmakers-return-debate-higher-education-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers Return, Debate Higher Education Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York lawmakers return to the Capitol this week to begin their push to agree on a state budget, due by April 1.\u00a0 There are a number of issues on which they must agree: first the amount <\/em>of money that is available<\/em> and then how to<\/em> spend<\/em> it.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, what the governor proposes in his budget plan is 90 percent of what will become law.\u00a0 A large portion of the budget is money from the federal government that requires little action by New York State other than the approval to spend it as expected by the feds.<\/p>\n

Much of the state spending has the quiet approval of the legislature, but there can be disagreements over how much to spend<\/em> on programs as well as how<\/em> the governor proposes to spend allocated funds on programs.<\/p>\n

Those disagreements are what can lead to the controversies that often dominate media coverage of the Albany budget process.<\/p>\n

One area in which there is expected disagreement is the governor\u2019s proposed higher education budget.\u00a0 In his budget plan, the governor proposed big cuts to colleges\u2019 \u201copportunity programs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opportunity programs, which are designed for educationally and economically disadvantaged students, have a steady track record of success in increasing graduation rates among the most at-risk students. \u00a0In general, students in opportunity programs come from low-income communities and often rank low on traditional measures of collegiate admissions standards, such SAT scores, high school GPA, and class standing. \u00a0New York State has several opportunity programs in place to help increase access to and success in higher education to New Yorkers.<\/p>\n

These programs include Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK), Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), and others. \u00a0The State University of New York\u2019s EOP students may receive support services, such as academic, career, and personal counseling; tutoring and supplemental instruction. \u00a0As part of a student’s overall financial aid package, EOP provides financial assistance for non-tuition related expenses (e.g<\/em>., books, supplies, etc<\/em>.).<\/p>\n

Similarly, the City University of New York\u2019s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (known as ASAP) and similar programs build in robust advisement services, and funding for textbook and transit costs, among other costs. \u00a0And it works. \u00a0Students involved in the nationally recognized ASAP graduate at more than double the rate of non-ASAP students.<\/p>\n

Despite the track records of success for these programs, the executive budget proposes cuts, not improvements, to the tune of nearly $24 million in reduced support.\u00a0 Here is what the governor proposed:<\/p>\n