Spitzer calls for overhaul of higher education
BYLINE: By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: ALBANY N.Y.
Creating internationally renowned campuses such as the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor and making the State University of New York's reputation equal to the University of California system are among the goals Gov. Eliot Spitzer outlined Tuesday.
He created a one-year commission of leaders in public and private higher education to create a new and integrated higher education system in New York. But he said that won't necessarily mean higher tuition at SUNY and the City University of New York because the commission will also explore new revenue sources from alumni, private industry and government.
Much of Spitzer's focus was clearly on SUNY. He noted that although New York has 14 of the top 100 universities in the nation, unlike California, none of them are public institutions.
"It will move with speed and give us a blueprint to move an institution that is already doing wonderful work, but will make it a world class institution," Spitzer said. "Making the SUNY system a world class institution is an economic imperative."
Spitzer sees higher education public and private as a key to creating and retaining jobs in what he calls an innovation economy. He notes announcements so far this year to retain and increase jobs in Binghamton, Rochester, Albany and elsewhere have been the result of high-technology firms working with universities.
"It is very much a question of how do we turn our SUNY system into an economic engine and make sure that it attracts the best students, the best faculty, and the most jobs for New York state," Spitzer said.
Spitzer didn't rule out reducing the number of State University of New York's 64 campuses, a longtime proposal by some in higher education to save public money, but considered politically unlikely.
"I don't know if we have too many or too few," Spitzer said.
The commission will also seek ways to expand the number of degree offerings to serve state and regional economic development, prepare community college graduates for easier transition to four year colleges, and enhance research at SUNY's university centers.
Major intercollegiate sports could also build SUNY's image, Spitzer said, joking that it might help to win an NCAA football championship. Spitzer gave the commission strict deadlines of Dec. 1 for a preliminary report and June 2008 for a final report and said the next SUNY chancellor will have to support the changes. SUNY is now conducting a national search to replace John Ryan, who resigned this year.
The commission will be headed by Hunter Rawlings, president emeritus of Cornell University; and includes Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein, Abraham Lackman of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities; state Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Kenneth LaValle, state Education Commissioner Richard Mills and SUNY interim Chancellor John Clark.
Spitzer also named former state schools Chancellor Carl Hayden of Elmira, who led the Board of Regents in much of its overhaul of public education in elementary, middle and high schools. Hayden will also be his nominee to be chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, Spitzer said during Tuesday's news conference.
Most of the current Board of Trustees was appointed by former Republican Gov. George Pataki to terms that continue for several years. There was no immediate comment from SUNY spokesman David Henahan on whether board Chairman Thomas Egan, a Pataki appointee, has agreed to step aside.
Hayden, who retired to his law practice in 2002 after seven years as Regents chancellor and 12 years on the Regents Board, led the Regents in school reforms and standardized testing despite harsh criticism from schools, parents, politicians, teachers' unions and others.
"He walked over hot coals to get the Regents to move in the direction that has already begun to show great benefits for the public and will for many years," Spitzer said of why he chose Hayden for the commission.
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