The new head of the SUNY system testified in support of the governor’s plan to raise tuition at the state’s public universities and colleges.
SUNY Chancellor John King delivered his remarks before state lawmakers Monday, about a month before the new state budget is due.
As part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s $227 billion spending plan, tuition at SUNY campuses would be subject to annual hikes tied to the lower of the Higher Education Price Index or 3%.
King told lawmakers the funding is necessary for the 64-campus system to remain competitive.
“I want to emphasize that no one offers as high quality of an education as affordably around the country as SUNY and our partners at CUNY," King said. "Indeed, 53% of all SUNY students attend tuition free and half graduate debt free.”
King is a former New York State and United States Education Commissioner who was appointed chancellor in December. The legislature will release one house budget bills in March.
Local SUNY schools include Upstate Medical University, Onondaga Community College and the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, or SUNY ESF.