FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBANY (3/22/2010) – In a sweeping victory for SUNY students across the state, The State University of New York Student Assembly announced their support for the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act (S.6607-A/A.9707-A) with a resolution passed on Saturday, March 20 by the SUNY SA Executive Committee.

Within the proposed legislation, students' cry for a rational tuition policy, like the one endorsed by the Student Assembly in October 2008, has finally been answered.

Through unprecedented levels of cooperation and transparency with SUNY System Administration, the Student Assembly was able to voice their concerns over specific aspects of the bill and collaborated on a draft policy which the Board of Trustees will adhere to.

The resolution, which passed unanimously, includes two provisions: one requesting the capping of tuition increases at 1.5 times the 5-year rolling average of the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), or 6 percent of current tuition, whichever is less; and another asking for a legislative cap on the amount that the SUNY Board of Trustees can charge for differential tuition.

"We are glad to see that the days of ‘tuition roulette’ may soon be over,” said Melody Mercedes, President of the Student Assembly. “Finally, tuition hikes will go directly to where they are needed – our campuses. This bill is essential to students and the institutions they attend. We will now throw our entire support behind the bill and will work hard to ensure that it passes.”

"The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act puts students at the center and enables the State University to provide them with the access and affordability for quality education that they deserve," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "The Empowerment Act carries tremendous benefits for current and future generations of SUNY students, and I look forward to working closely with the Student Assembly and all SUNY students to ensure its passage."

Student concerns about tuition dollars going to fill the state's coffers have also been addressed in the bill, along with concerns students have expressed about making tuition rates political.

"This bill removes the ability for the state legislature to play politics with our students,” said Mercedes. “Back room negotiations and notions of power from lawmakers should not be interfering with the quality of education our students receive, and this bill is the only solution which corrects this."

The Student Assembly will continue to lobby the state legislature as well as organize campaigns to help ensure enactment of the bill.

The Student Assembly of the State University of New York is an organization created by Article XVII of the guidelines of the SUNY Board of Trustees. Empowering students throughout the state, the SUNY SA is committed to student life and ensuring the representation of its members on the state and national level as well as throughout the SUNY system. For the latest SUNY SA news, visit www.studentassembly.org.

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