City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Matthew Goldstein recently visited York College to address students and faculty, as well as answer questions from the audience.
Paying for college, regarding recent tuition hikes at CUNY and possible cuts to financial aid from the federal government, was the focal point of this visit from the chancellor both in his speech and the question and answer session that followed at the Jamaica university.
A CUNY graduate of City College himself, Goldstein said he understood the need for affordable education, but acknowledged CUNY is facing some challenges. He added that though CUNY has tried to build up their reserves and have been able to “weather some serious punches,” CUNY cannot continue to take assets out of the system and diminish the operating support without an adequate flow of revenue.
Charging additional tuition is something that Goldstein, CUNY chancellor since 1999, said he is not afraid to do, as long as the most needy students are not affected. What he calls a “rational tuition policy.”
When asked by a York student if the tuition increases will benefit the over 480,000 students attending CUNY colleges Goldstein answered, “The only way that I would propose tuition increases is if the money comes back to investments on the campuses.”
Part of his rational tuition policy is students seeing the benefits from money generated from students. This includes more full-time staff, teachers, student organizations and improvements on campuses.
With tuition rising, students who struggle to pay for school may find it more difficult with a possible cut the Pell Grant.
“Pell is something we have to ensure is stabilized,” said Goldstein responding to a student’s question. “So the students that depend on this support have it.”
Goldstein voiced his concern over the plan to slash Pell Grants for summer sessions and efforts in the House of Representatives to slash Pell even further. This concern has led Goldstein along with other public universities heads to “make some serious noise about Pell.” He added that a campaign will be starting shortly that will hopefully help protect Pell from further cuts.
Goldstein also spoke of the importance of a broad and eclectic class schedule.
“I say to the students don’t be afraid to dip your toes into waters that you don’t think are consistent with putting together a resume,” said Goldstein, who added that the humanities are fundamental to everything we do. He said he didn’t want students just to be worried about getting jobs, but to be able to broaden their horizons and knowledge base.
See CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein’s Op-Ed column on Pell Grants on page 29.
