Letter from the President

31 January 2003

To the College Community:

We have known for some time that New York State faces a significant deficit, the result of a national economic downturn, aggravated by the aftermath of September 11th. It therefore comes as no surprise that the State Executive Budget released two days ago proposes to reduce support for higher education.

We do not have all the details, but we know that the Executive Budget recommends that State aid to The City University be reduced by $81.7 million or 12 percent under last year. And while it recommends that the overall level of TAP awards remain the same, the program itself is to be restructured. Awards are to be provided in two stages: a "base award," equivalent to two-thirds of the current award, and a "performance award," the remaining one-third, payable upon graduation. Students would be expected to finance the latter piece through federal or, possibly, state loans.

To maintain the current level of funding, the University may decide either to make cuts in programs and services or to raise tuition. Chancellor Goldstein has indicated that the University will raise tuition but also that it will try to minimize the impact on students in need.

The Executive Budget represents the beginning of the budget process, which ends when the Legislature approves a final budget. Meanwhile we have an opportunity to make our case. We will work with faculty, students, alumni, elected officials, the business community, and others to mobilize support for restoring the budget, making a tuition increase unnecessary, and obviating the proposed changes in financial aid. Please join in this effort.

Brooklyn College is committed to quality. We will continue to provide an excellent education, to attract and serve good students, and to hire top-rank faculty.

With best wishes,

Sincerely,

Christoph M. Kimmich
President