SUNY Board of Trustees Approves Financial Plan, Adopts Historic Rational Tuition Policy

New York City – In a historic vote, the State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved the 2011-12 financial plan for SUNY and adopted the system’s first rational tuition policy.

 “The Board’s adoption of rational tuition represents a lifeline for SUNY and the end to the era of uncertainty for students and their families,” said Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden. “Rational tuition gives us a fighting chance to protect access to New York's great public university and to make it stronger. I thank Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for enabling SUNY to take this critical step toward a better future for SUNY students, and commend Chancellor Zimpher, our campus presidents, faculty, and students for their leadership and support, which has made this historic act possible.”

 “Today, the Board of Trustees adopted a plan that puts in motion historic reform of SUNY’s long-broken tuition policies,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “This will allow SUNY to flourish and enable SUNY students and their families to confidently plan for the cost of their education.

“While this new policy comes at a challenging time, I want to assure students and their families that SUNY will make good on their investment. Every new tuition dollar will be reinvested in creating the best possible educational experience for our students, including protecting and enhancing programs, allowing for smaller class sizes, and better preparing students for greater post-graduate opportunities.”

In accordance with the recently enacted NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program Act and today’s Board action, resident undergraduate tuition at SUNY’s 29 state-operated campuses will increase by $300 for all students, and non-resident undergraduate tuition will increase by 10 percent for students at the University Centers (UAlbany, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, and Stony Brook University). These increases will take effect in the fall 2011 semester.

For additional details, view the full financial plan and tuition policy resolutions adopted by the Board at today’s meeting.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with nearly 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu

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