 Deborah
Stendardi |
The 1998-99 Executive Budget recently proposed by Governor
Pataki addresses a number of important state issues. The state's fiscal
situation is healthy, revenues are up, tax rates have gone down and
the climate for economic growth and development in New York state is
good. These are all very positive indicators for the state, and they
have made it possible for the governor and the legislature to consider
significant increases in funding for areas such as K-12 education,
transportation and social service programs, as well as a major commitment
to new capital investment in the State University of New York system,
to cite a few examples.
Two areas of the budget that have not yet benefitted
from the state's fiscal resurgence are independent higher education
and student financial aid. The Tuition Assistance Program is the centerpiece
of New York state's portfolio of higher education programs.In 1974,
the year that the TAP program was established, the maximum award was
equivalent to 60 percent of the average tuition at New York's independent
colleges. Today, the maximum award represents just 25 percent of the
average tuition and, at $3,900, is actually lower than it was in 1990.
 Verna
Hazen |
The state's investment in higher education as a portion
of the overall state budget has declined, from 11.3 percent in 1990
to 10.2 percent today. The erosion of TAP, in particular, has contributed
to a significant decline in New York state's leadership position in
student aid support.
It is important to note that New York's independent
colleges, including RIT, enroll a higher percentage of students from
middle-income families than colleges in the state university system.
A recent study indicated that 56 percent of New York residents enrolled
in independent colleges came from families with less than $50,000 in
New York state net taxable income, as compared to 42 percent in SUNY.
Last year, about 2,800 RIT students received TAP awards totalling almost
$5.5 million. The average TAP award for RIT students is about $2,000.
Thus, TAP is a vital component in making it possible for these young
men and women to attend the school of their choice. TAP plays an essential
role, along with federal and institutionally-funded financial aid,
in assisting families with educational costs.
 Kevin
DiVico |
What can we do to encourage New York state to reinvest
in higher education, and particularly in the TAP program? All of us
need to communicate our concern about the importance of TAP and the
urgent need for an increase in the maximum award to $5,000 in this
year's state budget with our elected state legislators. The proposed
increase would provide an additional $1,100 in TAP support for every
TAP recipient. You can help by writing to your state senator and state
Assembly member to urge them to support an increase in the maximum
TAP award. Together, we are working on a grassroots effort to encourage
faculty, staff, students and parents to write to their legislators
about the maximum TAP award. Faculty and staff will receive a communication
from the Office of Government and Community Affairs, with additional
information and "talking points" for letters to their legislators.
Student Government will be launching a postcard mail campaign for students,
and will also be organizing a group of RIT students to participate
in a Student Lobby Day in Albany on March 31. Parentsof RIT students
will also be receiving information about how they can help. We believe
that the state's investment in independent higher education should
grow, and that the maximum TAP award should increase to $5,000. We
hope that all members of the RIT community will join us in this effort.
Only through such a large scale effort will we be able to achieve this
important goal.
This column presents opinions and ideas from your peers
on issues relevant to higher education. We welcome response and hope "Viewpoints" inspires
discussion amongst you, the RIT community. To suggest an idea for a column,
e-mail to newsevents@rit.edu.
