“Letter to the Editor”
March 11, 2010
To the Editor;
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher is right in
making her case for ending Albany's business as usual by passing
the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, which
is now before the State Legislature. The act would remove the politics
from tuition and get the university out of a regulatory straitjacket.
But let me add another reason why this act is important, not just
to our public university, but also to the economy of Central New
York.
Our state is out of money and looking at
multi-billion-dollar shortfalls next year. Where will we find the
resources we need? We will have to create them by preparing the
groundwork for stronger, more competitive private enterprise. Colleges
and universities are vital to that effort. In Oswego County, SUNY
Oswego is a major economic force. It is the largest employer and
has a tremendous direct and indirect impact on the local and regional
economy. It also houses numerous programs that assist us in implementing
successful economic development initiatives. The Small Business
Development Center, for example, provides services to groom entrepreneurs
and the Workforce Development Board helps to develop programs to
train our workforce.
The future of our economy is directly related
to our ability to create the skilled and innovative business leaders
and employees to allow us the opportunity to be both competitive
and sustainable in the global marketplace. This is absolutely critical
for our future. Therefore, cutting the red tape that binds these
vital educational services along with every other aspect of running
the college has never been more important. Partnerships between
campuses and the private sector, as outlined in the Empowerment
Act, would provide opportunities for new jobs for our communities
as well as new revenue for the university.
It is time to stop lamenting the economic
stagnation of Central New York and start removing some of the regulation
that ties the hands of those who can help drive economic recovery.
The Empowerment Act for SUNY is a refreshing step forward. It is
bold and innovative legislation worthy of the Empire State and would
enhance our own Creative Core.
Sincerely yours,
L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD
Executive Director, Operation Oswego County
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