The state Division of Budget’s decision to order the State University of New York to freeze nearly $110 million it collects from students and public hospital patients will dismantle the University, the president of United University Professions warned today. UUP President Phillip H. Smith also announced the union is preparing to launch a major public information and political action campaign to get the funds released, including holding a rally at the state Capitol on Friday, May 2.
The nearly $110 million being withheld is money that SUNY receives from students and their families for tuition, dormitory fees and other payments. It also includes revenues SUNY’s three public hospitals collect directly from patients and their private insurance.
Smith added that freezing SUNY’s revenues will also produce a shortage of funds to pay for residence hall maintenance, security and campus safety. SUNY’s public hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse won’t have the funds available to maintain some vital health care services.
Smith is urging the governor to intervene and allow SUNY to spend the revenues it collects to support services for its students and hospital patients. At the same time, the union will alert the public to the dangers facing SUNY through its statewide media and political action campaign.
Smith noted the $109.4 million spending reduction comes on top of a $38.8 million cut in operating aid in the 2008-09 state budget.