UB 2020 bill brews trouble in Albany on autonomy
A piece of state legislation that could have a big impact on the University at Buffalo, and the economic fortunes of the region, is opening up a giant-size can of worms in Albany during the waning days of the 2009 session.
At issue is a bill that would give UB — and only UB — unprecedented freedom within the state’s higher education system, including the power to raise its own tuition.
UB President John Simpson insists the legislation is key to attaining UB 2020 — the school’s ambitious plan to grow –and the bill’s passage has become the No. 1 priority for the Western New York delegation.
The legislation follows a state-mandated tuition increase of $620 for instate residents and $2,260 for out-of-state residents. UB kept about 10 percent of the tuition increase, while the other 90 percent went to the state when bills went up in January.
“UB 2020 is the biggest economic development project we can get for this community,” said State Sen. William T. Stachowski, D-Lake View.
But outside Western New York, response to the “UB 2020 Flexibility and Economic Growth Act” hasn’t been as enthusiastic. Some say it gives too much power to just one institution in the state university system. Other state universities now want similar concessions.
In addition, some lawmakers in Albany fear tuition dictated by UB — rather than the state—would price families out of the largest school in the State University of New York system.
“The bill itself has numerous problems and opposition from various quarters,” said Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat.
While UB took a step closer to achieving more autonomy Wednesday when the Senate approved the bill, it still has to get the OK from the Assembly.
And before it’s voted upon, the bill must pass through the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee. Glick, chairwoman of that committee, indicated it isn’t going anywhere.
“I can tell you, in its current form, it’s certainly not going to be voted on by the committee,” Glick said.
It all raises questions about the status of UB 2020.
In recent years, Simpson has outlined a dramatic strategic plan to grow UB into a top-tier public research university by adding 10,000 more students, 2,300 more staff and faculty and building out its campuses.
The community has embraced the idea that a bigger UB — spitting out more jobs and high-tech research — can be an economic engine for a region trying to keep pace in a global economy that thrives on innovation.
But Simpson acknowledges the plan is years behind its original 2020 timeline.
“It’s no surprise that, compared to where we were, as recently as a year and a half ago, we’re several years behind, because of the state budget cuts that have occurred,” Simpson said.
Regardless of what happens with this bill, he said, UB’s objective remains the same.
“I’ve always said the long-term vision remains intact,” Simpson said. “The road from here to there is what’s shifting.”
Still, Simpson and local delegates will continue to press for the legislation before the session ends June 22 so that UB can forge ahead.
The legislation would free UB from many state regulations, giving it greater flexibility on spending and contracting, leasing and selling university-held land and developing private partnerships to build new campus projects.
It would also give UB the ability to raise its own tuition in capped annual increments.
Currently, SUNY sets and raises tuition for the state colleges and universities, but only after approval from the governor and Legislature.
UB would use the additional revenue to help fund UB 2020, while setting aside 10 to 20 percent for student financial aid, Stachowski said.
The United University Professions, the union representing faculty and staff on state campuses, opposes the idea.
“Granting the University at Buffalo’s president unilateral authority to raise tuition and set differential tuition rates will dramatically reduce access and affordability for current and prospective UB students,” Phillip Smith, president of the union, said in a letter to The Buffalo News.
“Let’s remember that UB is a public, not private, institution,” Smith said. “[The bill] runs counter to why the university was established.”
Officials at SUNY did not respond to inquiries from The News seeking comment on the bill, but critics want new SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who started June 1, to have time to weigh in on the issue.
“Quite frankly,” Glick said, “I was surprised UB pushed forward with the bill during the first week for the new chancellor.”
The underlying obstacle in getting the bill passed is uncertainty over how UB 2020 would shake up the SUNY system, said Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Kenmore.
“Perhaps that is just another way of saying there is a fear of loss of control,” Schimminger said.
There are also those yelling “me too,” he said.
Citing fairness, Binghamton and Stony Brook universities want to be included in the bill or support new laws giving more freedom to all four state universities — Binghamton, Stony Brook, Albany and UB.
“The economic problems that Western New York is experiencing are not unique,” said Gail Glover, a Binghamton spokeswoman. “By including Binghamton and the other university centers in this bill, we will all gain the flexibility we need to strengthen . . . our regions and the state.”
But State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, worries that hashing out a compromise for all four will delay any action.
“Don’t give me that Buffalo and Western New York are getting favorable treatment here,” Maziarz said. “Buffalo and Western New York were getting screwed for years, and this bill does a very little bit to equalizing things.
“We don’t want to hold back Stony Brook and Binghamton and Albany,“ Maziarz said, “but UB has been working on 2020 for five years. Don’t say, ‘Because you’re at the finish line you have to wait for us.’ ”
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments