Gov. Paterson and the state Legislature left CUNY's budget untouched on Tuesday, Nov. 18, preventing a tuition hike for CUNY and SUNY students.
"As a result of the inability of the state Legislature and the governor to come to an agreement on budget cuts, it appears as though we've been able to hold off the tuition hike until the fall semester," said Daniel Muchnick, vice president of the Student Association - who, with other CUNY supporters, spoke against the cuts at City Hall that morning.
Queens College's midyear budget for the spring was at a standstill until Gov. David Paterson and the state Legislature held their special session to decide on the governor's new proposal and address the looming state deficit. An agreement could not be reached.
It was on Nov. 12 that Paterson announced his proposal to save additional funds and reduce the state deficit by $2 billion.
Included in the plan was a $600 annual tuition increase facing both CUNY and SUNY students, which would have gone into effect in the spring semester. Full-time undergraduate students would've seen an extra $300 on their bills.
In his proposal, Paterson did allow for CUNY and SUNY schools to keep 10 percent of funds garnered through their tuition increases this year and 20 percent of funds from the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The plan, which would have raised tuition for senior colleges like QC to $4,600 annually, was not acted upon on Nov 18.
"This is great news for our students, even if it is only a temporary victory," said Muchnick. "We have won the battle. Now it's up to us to fight the larger budget war for the 2009-2010 academic year that will begin when the state Legislature reconvenes in January."
The SA assisted the Professional Staff Congress in delivering 45,000 post cards and 10,000 pawns to Gov. Paterson.
"The idea of using pawns for the statewide campaign came from the SA and the Committee for Disabled Students," said Muchnick.
Since the initial budget cuts, where the CUNY budget was slashed by $51 million, President Muyskens said QC had paused hiring, been more careful with purchases, raised the technology fee and charged for printing.
CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein issued a statement to all CUNY faculty and students regarding the midyear budget.
"The university's first priority in navigating this fiscal situation is the maintenance of our core academic mission and the protection of our services to students," said Goldstein.
He said that since "no action was taken by the state Legislature," he didn't intend to propose a tuition increase for the spring semester.
Paterson is set to release the executive budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year on Dec. 16.
If the state Legislature had approved Paterson's proposal, the tuition increase would have been CUNY's first since 2003.
In 2003, tuition was increased by $400 each semester at the senior colleges and by $150 each semester at the community colleges.
Thirty-three years ago, CUNY schools were free to attend.
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