???The New York State budget will be put in place next week, ushering in cuts that will not bide well for the University at Buffalo. The latest press release announced an additional $6 to $9 million dollars in cuts to the university.
???The impending cuts bring to light several aspects about the condition of the state, according to James Campbell, chair of the Department of Political Science.
???"First, it indicates that the state government is in dire straits financially and is looking to get money wherever and however possible," Campbell said. "Second, it indicates that the governor is taking advantage of the fact that these are hidden taxes."
???Campbell is referencing the recent tuition hike that was implemented at UB last December. The $620 dollar tuition increase is split between the state and the university, with 90 percent going directly to the New York State government and 10 percent going to UB. Next year, the split will change to 80 percent for the government and 20 percent for UB.
???"Students, or their parents in some cases, will be paying money that they think is going to the university and will complain about rising tuition... when, in fact, most of the money is being siphoned off into the state treasury for other purposes," Campbell said. "The governor is turning the university into his tax collector and most students and voters do not realize this."
???The proverbial tightening of the fiscal belt does not end there, as Gov. David A. Paterson is still eyeing the SUNY system for more funding, according to Campbell.
???Widespread speculation exists that some SUNY schools are considering stepping away from the system and becoming private institutions. Campbell believes that this idea is becoming increasingly plausible.
???"State funding is a shrinking source of revenue for many state universities and this is not a new phenomenon," Campbell said. "I would not at all be surprised if at some point this possibility was seriously considered by and for UB."
???The university has taken several actions to mitigate monetary losses. The first and major cuts have come from research programs. However, they have begun to open new avenues of revenue in these tough times.
???Campus Dining & Shops has also taken over responsibilities of catering in the Jacobs Executive Development Center to reduce costs.
???Campbell believes it is difficult to tell what the motives behind Paterson's budget are and if he is possibly taking advantage of openings in the system.
???"[Paterson's intentions are] hard to tell. There are a great many needs in the state and the cost of meeting these is very high," Campbell said. "On the other hand, New York has the reputation of having very wasteful state and local governments. This drives away many businesses and productive citizens and puts a big financial burden on those who stay."
???Paterson's decisions are having swift and negative effects on the stance of New York voters. Siena College recently released a poll showing that two-thirds of participants would rather have someone else hold the governor's office.
???"Politically, it does not look like this state will change its ways," Campbell said. "Meanwhile, students and other taxpayers will foot the bill. Although there is the current financial crisis that we all must confront, in a larger sense and admittedly, this may partly reflect my personal political views, the voters of New York are unfortunately getting what they voted for."
