SUNY Chancellor applauding Paterson budget
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NEW YORK STATE -- Despite those mentioned cuts to school aid, Governor Paterson's proposed budget is getting praise from some of SUNY's leaders. That's because the budget plan would allow schools more control over how they spend their money and also how much they charge in tuition.
Paterson suggested that the current SUNY system allows Albany lawmakers to have too much control over decisions made on campuses across the state.
College and university presidents say the state's micro-management has created massive delays in responding to various opportunities.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher says putting more decision-making power in the hands of educators is great for both the schools and the state.
"I think we knew that we were all going to suffer a bit, but we are very enthusiastic about the role that SUNY is going to play in economic recovery. So if you weave together the empowerment plan from Friday with some of the cost with coming in line with this budget, it really is powerful. Good for New York and Good for SUNY," Zimpher said.
This would be a landmark change for the SUNY system. The schools have never been able to mandate a tuition hike independently.