From: Democrat and Chronicle
December 4, 2008

Phillip H. Smith

Guest essayist

Since its founding in 1948, the State University of New York has produced tens of thousands of graduates whose knowledge has helped to generate years of economic growth. But now that generator is losing power because of devastating state budget cuts.

After three rounds of budget cuts this year, SUNY has lost $148 million, making it one of the hardest-hit state agencies. That's why United University Professions, the union representing SUNY's faculty and professional staff, is calling on elected officials to give SUNY the funding to keep its economic engine humming.

It is unwise to cut funds from a system that produces more revenue than the amount the state invests in it. For every dollar in state support it receives, its campuses return $6 to $8 to their respective communities. Imagine that for every dollar cut from SUNY, that economic return evaporates. Think how the ripple effect would hurt businesses in the Rochester area.

SUNY Brockport reports its economic impact is nearly $412 million annually. The college also says more than 28,000 alumni live and work in and around Rochester, making a significant contribution to the local economy. SUNY Geneseo says its economic impact on the surrounding community is about $300 million annually.

Slashing SUNY's budget will also hurt working families with high-school-age children and community college transfers looking to SUNY for an affordable, quality college education. Thousands of qualified students will likely find SUNY doors closed because SUNY will be unable to retain the faculty needed to teach them. The budget cuts will also mean advanced courses will be canceled, and SUNY students will be closed out of courses they need to graduate on time.

Families will be forced to pay thousands of dollars more for a degree that takes five or more years to complete. Cutting state dollars for SUNY will also undermine efforts to develop the educated work force we need to help speed our economic recovery.

The state's elected leaders need to rethink these cuts and approach state support to SUNY as an investment in the state's future well-being.

Clearly, investing in SUNY is the solution for what ails the state's economy.

We urge concerned New Yorkers, parents, students and business owners to join UUP in asking Gov. David Paterson to reverse these cuts and prevent future ones. You can do so by going to our Web site at www.uupinfo.org and sending a fax to the governor. New York needs a strong public university system now, more than ever.

Smith is president, United University Professions.