Not a done deal

This is part two of a two-part series that looks at the medical school's tuition hike plan.

Although a proposal to single out medical students for a tuition increase has many UB students in an uproar, both UB and New York State officials say students shouldn't worry so much over a bill that might not even be passed.

Ryan McPherson, the assistant vice president for government affairs at UB, said he stresses the importance of the wording in the budget article.

The article itself says the SUNY trustees "may establish differing rates of tuition" in different academic programs where the current market or the program costs "support a higher rate of tuition in accordance with guidelines established by the chancellor."

The key word in the article is "may," McPherson said. "The provision gives the option to implement the policy. (The trustees) don't have to do it."

Ron Canestrari, chair of higher education for the New York State Assembly, said he believes Governor George Pataki's basis for the proposal rests on the expectation that students graduating from the medical programs will eventually generate higher incomes.

"It's a very slippery slope," Canestrari said. "Why are they targeting medical students? Why not lawyers or other graduate programs?"

Canestrari added if the provision passes, he believes tuition would become too excessive for medical students.

"I don't, and the Assembly doesn't, support this proposal," he said.

Under the proposal, medical students would be singled out for tuition hikes unless they publicly serve a needy area of New York, according to UB Council Representative David Books.

Brooks and others said they were concerned the power to fight the proposal would be taken from their hands once the budget is voted on.

According to SUNY spokesman David Henahan, the budget is due April 1 and the voting dates differ every year.

"First the governor puts forward the executive budget proposal. Part of that budget proposal includes the ability to the board to authorize differential medical school tuition," said Henahan, who is also the SUNY director of media relations. "The second step, which we are now in, has the legislative branch evaluate the governor's executive budget proposal and they will make a decision if this part of the budget remains or is excluded."

Henahan added there is another element to the proposal's reasoning: the bill's proponents consider it a way for the state to get something back from students who receive a state education.

"The goal of the proposal is to get students who receive a substantial subsidy from the state for their medical education to serve in underserved areas of the state, and they would be benefited by paying a lower tuition than a student who is not willing to make such a commitment," he said.

Henahan also stressed nothing is set in stone yet, but many students assume because the proposal is made, that's the way it must be.

"Remember, it is permissive language," he said. "The legislature will be heard on this and they may or may not look in favor on this part of the executive budget proposal. And the proposal authorizes - does not require - the board to take action."