Statement by CICU President Mary Beth Labate on the SFY 2017-18 Enacted State Budget

News Date: 4/11/2017

Statement by CICU President Mary Beth Labate on the SFY 2017-18 Enacted State Budget:

"On behalf of its 100+ private, not-for-profit colleges and universities and the almost 300,000 New York State students we enroll, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) is very disappointed in the outcome of State budget negotiations. Introducing a conditional and unguaranteed 'free' tuition plan, and a potentially unworkable and modest plan for students who attend a not-for-profit college or university will confuse and potentially mislead families at the moment when students are making the decision on what college to attend. As we have said from the beginning, while 'free' tuition makes for an effective sound bite, it does not make for sound public policy.

"As always, New York’s not-for-profit colleges and universities are committed to making college affordable by making sure every student gets the maximum aid possible. Choice, access and completion for our students have long been hallmarks of the Independent Sector of higher education."

About The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York
Founded in 1956, The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) in New York represents the chief executives of New York's 100+ independent (private, not-for-profit) colleges and universities on issues of public policy. Member colleges compose the largest private sector of higher education in the world and confer most of the bachelor’s degrees (51%), master’s degrees (72%), and doctoral and first-professional degrees (79%) earned in New York state.