Politics on the Hudson

   The State University of New York’s student enrollment has reached a new high this year, despite having a net loss of $210 million in cuts by the governor and lawmakers. The student population at the 64-campus system grew by 12,226, almost 3 percent over last fall, to 439,624.

   In the past decade, SUNY has experienced a 20 percent boost in enrollment.

   “This record enrollment is more evidence that students recognize the educational excellence offered by our SUNY campuses,” Carl Hayden, SUNY Board of Trustees chairman, said in a statement. “In a time of difficult economic challenges for students and their families, SUNY clearly is the right choice for an accessible, affordable and high quality higher education experience.” 

   Earlier this week, SUNY trustees approved a plan to gradually increase tuition each year, with the intent of making tuition more predictable and paying for increased expenses at the school. The last time SUNY tuition went up was in 2003, when it increased 28 percent to $2,350.

   Gov. David Paterson has recommended a tuition hike of $300 a semester, starting in the spring. Trustees have endorsed upping tuition by $310 a semester under the same timetable. The governor will take the trustees’ tuition and budget recommendation into consideration before submitting his budget proposal next month.

   The enrollment growth shows there is a growing demand for access to public higher education in New York, which “must be met with the resources required for the continued delivery of educational opportunities that make SUNY a great public institution,” said SUNY Provost Risa Palm.