By JONAS MILLER
Co-Executive Editor
In an interview with WAMC on Friday, College President Carolyn J. Stefanco publicly voiced her opposition to a recently proposed plan by NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo that would provide an opportunity for free tuition to state schools for certain qualified students across New York.
“Certainly we support the efforts of the Governor because we all want to make college affordable,” Stefanco said. “We all want to make an opportunity for all New Yorkers to access higher education.”
Stefanco continued by suggesting that the existing plans should be expanded to include independent higher educational institutions across the state, saying the choice should still lie in the student’s hands and that they should not be swayed by the idea of free tuition.
“I think higher education would be hurt and I think students would be hurt,” Stefanco added. “American higher education is the envy of the world because of the fact we are so diverse.”
When asked about the rising threat that student debt poses to many American families, Stefanco said that many in higher-ed institutions, both public and private, are very concerned about affordability.
“We’re all working very hard to keep the costs of education as low as they can be,” she added.
The President went on to suggest that instead of proposing a new plan, the state should simply expand one that was already in place. The Tuition Assistance Program, TAP, exists to aid students and their families in paying the high costs of continuing their education beyond high school.
“What I would prefer is if a program that has long been supported by the State of New York…if more money would be funneled into that,” Stefanco said. “That’s a model where the students and their families…still have the power of making the decision about which educational institution is best for them.”
She went on to say that if the plan is approved, Saint Rose would in no way change itself or its mission to reflect the competition posed by the large financial break provided by SUNY schools.
“Certainly we have to partner with the faculty to make sure that we’re offering degrees that will support students on their life journeys,” Stefanco said. “We’re in education because we’re committed to providing that transformational experience.”
