Higher Education Committee
New York State Assembly
Public Hearing on the Impact
of the Governor’s Vetoes on Higher Education
Testimony by R. Thomas Flynn
President, Monroe Community College
October 21, 2004
Rochester, New York
Higher Education Committee
New York State Assembly
Public Hearing on the Impact of the Governor’s Vetoes on Higher Education
October 21, 2004
Good Morning. I'm Tom Flynn, President of Monroe Community College here in
Monroe County. Thank you for this opportunity to share a few words with you today about the
impact of the Governor’s budget vetoes on SUNY community colleges in general and Monroe
Community College in particular.
I speak to you today as the president of Western New York’s largest college and the
third largest community college in the state. I am here representing MCC’s more than 360,000
alumni, and the more than 36,000 students who will study with us this academic year. In
addition, I represent nearly 2,000 talented faculty and staff who every day work to support our
students in achieving their goals who, in turn, are prepared to work in our community.
I am also confident my remarks reflect the views of the 29 other SUNY community
college presidents and the 209,000 students who are enrolled at their respective institutions this
fall.
And, if I can be so presumptuous, I believe I am speaking for all the businesses and
organizations that count on us to prepare their workforce. Monroe Community College is the
single largest educator and trainer for people in the Greater Rochester area.
In 1948, the New York State Legislature created community colleges. As I said two
years ago when I addressed this committee, the legislators in 1948 could never have imagined
the impact community colleges would have on this state. They probably did not foresee the
reach we would have and the economic force we would become. Sometimes, actions in Albany
cause me to wonder if today’s state leaders truly understand the economic and workforce
powerhouse of our community colleges.
In this state, there is a community college within driving distance of every citizen. Our
geographic distribution, coupled with our low cost and community-focused programs, make
community colleges the best economic and workforce development tool New York state has. In
communities across the state, new and changing industries rely on community colleges to
prepare workers trained in the latest technologies, for the latest careers.
The Governor’s veto of $14.5 million in operating aid to community colleges will
certainly have a negative impact. In a $101.3 billion state budget, $14 million is a small
investment … but it has a huge return.
To adjust to this decrease in funds, about 40% of SUNY community colleges are
considering cutting back on equipment and technology purchases, a move that undermines our
ability to train the state’s workforce. If community colleges don’t have up-to-date technology
and equipment, how can we, as a state, expect to attract new businesses that demand a prepared
workforce? If New York can’t promise new businesses the workforce they need, other states
certainly will.
About 15% of our community colleges are considering reductions in force and about
25% will freeze hiring, either temporarily or for the entire year. This is at a time when our
enrollments are growing and our businesses and industries are looking for a workforce trained
to meet this nation’s technological revolution.
Perhaps most disturbing to me is the growing possibility that our students will bear the
brunt of Albany’s action. About 20% of my community college colleagues are considering a
mid-year tuition increase; fully one-quarter think they will have to raise tuition next year to
cope with this year’s state budget. Many more would probably increase tuition at mid-year, but
that is so unfair to our students. Some community colleges may even have to deny access to
students – an action that threatens our mission and the economic recovery of our region. As one
example, nursing is one of our highest-cost programs. What if MCC reduced nursing admission
by 50%? The college would save $500,000, but how devastating would the impact be on our
community?
Community college students already shoulder more of the financial burden than they
should. You know the formula; students should only be paying one-third of the cost of their
education. At most community colleges, they have long been paying more than that. More
tuition increases will only heighten the problem.
And, I am sure you are aware community colleges educate students at a lower cost than
any other college in the state. No one compares to our cost per FTE - $6,300 per year at MCC.
We are efficient and effective. We are the best educational value for the New York taxpayers.
Finally, I must mention the capital plan. There is a reason SUNY colleges and
universities submit multi-year capital master plans – it is so all of us can plan for the projects
that our colleges’ need to meet the needs of our community. Our multi-year plans are submitted
well in advance so that multi-million dollar surprises do not creep up on us. The Governor
vetoed more than $55 million in capital funding for community colleges; $18 million of that
was for MCC’s new downtown campus, part of the Renaissance Square project. Even with all
of Monroe County’s fiscal challenges, County Executive Brooks and the county legislature
have committed to their portion of this project. They know how important it is for the college
and the community.
Before I close, let me provide some facts about preparing a workforce. You have all
heard of “brain drain” – talented, young people leaving our state. This is not true for the
community college graduate. At MCC, 93% of our graduates who transfer to a four-year degree
program, transfer to a New York state college; 95% of our career program graduates who
directly enter the workforce, stay in New York state.
Yes, when that state legislature in 1948 approved legislation for community colleges,
there was no way its legislators could have foreseen the impact community colleges would
have on our communities – changing the lives of students, helping businesses to grow with
well-prepared workers, making our communities more prosperous. I hope you agree that the
1948 decision to create community colleges was a great decision.
And, if you do, I hope you will also agree that the Legislature and Governor must
increase the funding for the community college system. By doing so, we can continue our
mission and continue as one of the most important drivers of the state economy. New York
state needs an educated workforce to compete; community colleges provide the best solution.
Thank you very much.