The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act
January 15, 2010
The Governor and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher have announced that the 2010-11 Executive Budget will propose the most significant reforms to the State's systems of public higher education in a generation.
Here is a fact sheet issued by SUNY Central Administration*, which outlines succinctly why this proposal is good for students, good for SUNY and good for New York.
The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act would provide SUNY and CUNY with greater operational independence consistent with their missions so that they can adapt and thrive in the 21st Century. This Act would give all of New York's public universities the long-needed ability to set their own destiny with regard to tuition levels and the best use of those resources.
This is an exciting piece of legislation that will dramatically add strength and quality to SUNY — further positioning the State University as a leader in job creation as we educate a 21st Century workforce, something that will significantly enhance the quality of a SUNY degree.
We should all strongly support this legislation, as it will bring SUNY's funding and operational principles in line with the nation's other great public universities. I am asking the campus community to join with me in advocating its passage. For more information on how to get involved, please visit the SUNY Advocacy Web site.
Thank you for your support!
Steven Poskanzer,
President
