City University of New York

Agency Web Site: http://www.cuny.edu/

Mission

The City University of New York (CUNY) has its origins in the Free Academy, established in 1847 under the auspices of the New York City Board of Education, and today is the nation’s largest urban public university system. The University’s mission is to provide affordable higher education with a focus on the urban community of New York City.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends $3.9 billion All Funds ($2.1 billion in Fiduciary Funds that represent the City of New York paying Senior College costs in the first instance, $1.3 billion in General Fund support that represents both the State’s contribution to these costs and the operations of the CUNY Community Colleges, $175.4 million in authority to disburse self-generated revenue, and $347.9 million in capital funding). General Fund growth is primarily related to fringe benefit cost increases, continuation of prior year expenses and modest community college enrollment growth.

The Executive Budget estimates a workforce of 12,747, the same as 2011-12 budget levels.

The Executive Budget is consistent with the provisions of the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program legislation, which requires General Fund operating support for CUNY to be maintained at prior-year levels.

The Executive Budget also accommodates the tuition increases authorized under the NYSUNY 2020 legislation’s rational tuition plan. The plan allows CUNY to raise tuition by $300 per year for five years, while maintaining affordability by utilizing a portion of the additional tuition revenue to augment student TAP awards. The predictable tuition increases, in concert with the maintenance of effort provision, will help CUNY campuses add more faculty, decrease class sizes, increase course offerings and improve graduation rates.

The Executive Budget maintains State base operating aid funding for the CUNY Community Colleges at 2011-12 levels of $2,122 per full-time equivalent student. The Executive Budget also includes funding for its share of costs associated with increased rental expenses.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Higher Education (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2012

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables