<p>Rdalenorth - you are correct, I do have an agenda when it comes to SUNY and CUNY – my agenda is students - I am a fierce advocate for the students of public higher education in NYS. During most months of the year I spend about four days a month speaking with members of the NYS Senate and Assembly trying to convince them that the students of NY have, and need to have, access to a quality college education at an affordable price, across many majors. Would that it was only Governor Cuomo’s budget – these cuts have gone on for three years now. Perhaps you have read what I wrote in the Cortland thread about a month ago. If you have not, here is some hard core truth: NYS has cut the operating budget of the SUNY system by about 34% in the last three years – that is around $800,000,000 fewer SUNY dollars in September 2011 than September 2007 in the annual operating budget – this is the budget that allows teaching to occur, it is the money that pays teachers’ salaries, maintenance, utilities, and such. You mention renovations going on at Cornell – it is very important to realize that funding for capital (buildings, facilities, sidewalks, etc) projects is “different” money – it is funded through a university construction fund that is planned and paid (monies set aside) for five to ten years in advance of the project. Any buildings or renovations you see going up today or in the next year or two were planned and paid for prior to the recession – new buildings going up on a campus do not reflect financial health in the current fiscal year’s operating budget. The teaching hospital in Brooklyn has cut three entire departments, SUNY/Albany has cut whole departments (no long accepting students) including their entire performing arts department. This past season Stonybrook did not produce a show – no production money. Buffalo has more than 240 fewer teachers today than it did three years ago – including reductions in their performing arts department. Schools have had to alter their requirements for degrees because they do not have the money to be able to offer the courses they previously offered. SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam are making plans to merge their operations. This list could go on. At Cortland the whole department is majorly made up of adjunct and non-tenured faculty – these are among the most vulnerable when cuts come to a department. I think the administration IS supportive of the MT program at Cortland and that is a plus. I also know that David Neal has made his BA program competitive and is devoted to making his program even better. However, growth, even maintenance, in these economic times is difficult. I wish you and your son well. I do suggest that you make an appointment with your state senator and assembly person to encourage them to more fully fund SUNY and specifically the Arts. You will hear, “times are tough, we have to make choices” – tell them yes, priorities need to be set - and educating the youth of NYS is a huge priority.</p>