Simple advice for SUNY’s tuition woes

On Friday, the State University of New York’s Board of Trustees voted almost unanimously in… On Friday, the State University of New York’s Board of Trustees voted almost unanimously in favor of a 41 percent tuition increase. The figure is staggering and – coincidentally – the inverse of the 14 percent hike decided upon by Pitt’s Board of Trustees back in July. This increase arrives on the scene while the state’s budget has come up billions of dollars short. In fact, New York’s financial status has grown so bleak that Gov. George Pataki has called it a “fiscal nightmare.”

But in Pittsburgh, students and faculty have been mulling the issue of tuition hikes for about half a year, and may be able to provide support by drawing from experience. We now share a dilemma with SUNY that goes beyond four-letter abbreviations and into economic instability.

Comparatively, it may seem like SUNY has a lot more to deal with. After all, a 41 percent raise is much steeper than 14. But properly crunched, the numbers look very much the same. SUNY’s yearly tuition currently stands just less than $3,500. If the proposed increase takes effect, tuition will jump $1,400 to about $4,900. Prior to Pitt’s increase, tuition stood at about $6,902. Tack on an extra 14 percent – $966 – and you get Pitt’s current price. Basically, Pitt students still paid more before their tuition hike than SUNY students will pay after theirs.

Given our current circumstances, it might be tempting to scoff at something as insignificant as a “massive” tuition hike that fails to breach the $5,000 mark. SUNY’s increase is mild by Pitt standards. It’s kids’ stuff – especially when those of us in Panther country are watching our tuition rates climb dangerously close to five figures. But New York is a different place with different ideas about what is and is not affordable in education.

But if the ladies and gentlemen of the SUNY board of trustees want to learn a thing or two about operating under financial burdens, they may as well stop by Pitt and learn from those who know best. Here are a few tips: When money is tight, take on ambitious construction projects. When funding is cut, fire loyal staffers. If you notice fingers pointing in your direction, just blame Harrisburg (Albany could work too, but Harrisburg is fail-safe). And when all else fails, you can always give your chancellor a 41 percent raise.