SUNY Ulster tuition rising by 3.5% for 2017-18

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Ulster County lawmakers have approved a 201718 budget for SUNY Ulster that increases student tuition by 3.5 percent while holding steady the county’s contribution to the operation of the community college.

Although the college’s $24.2 million spending plan for the coming academic year passed the county Legislature unanimously on Tuesday, some Democratic lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing cost of attending the two-year school.

Legislator David Donaldson said for many in Ulster County, the college in Stone Ridge is a “door” to a better future.

“It’s kind of tough when we keep raising that tuition,” said Donaldson, D-Kingston. “Maybe we (the county) should kick in a few more bucks.”

Full-time tuition at the college will rise to $4,480 per year from the current $4,330. Part-time tuition will increase by $5 per credit hour, to $170.

It is the second year in a row tuition at SUNY Ulster has increased.

Also for the second year in a row, the county’s contribution to the colleges’ operation will hold at $6.4 million.

When the state Legislature established the community college system, it anticipated funding would be equally shared by the state, the counties and student tuition. But Donaldson said the county is not meeting that obligation.

Richard Gerentine,R-Marlbor-ough, who is chairman of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, said that in addition to funding a portion of SUNY Ulster’s operating budget, the county also kicks in roughly $4 million per year toward capital projects at the college.

“I understand where you’re coming from, but all counties give to community colleges through their capital fund,” Donaldson replied.

Legislator Jennifer Swartz-Berky, D-Kingston, said she too was concerned about the rising cost of attending SUNY Ulster, particularly because Dutchess Community College’s tuition is significantly lower.

The Dutchess County Legislature is to vote in July on a $66.8 million budget for DCC that would raise full-time tuition by 4.8 percent to $3,696 per year from the current $3,528.

The SUNY Ulster budget now goes to the state for final approval.