Dividing support for Columbia-Greene Community College in three ways — host county, state aid, tuition — should be so simple and foolproof a formula that even New York state lawmakers couldn’t foul it up. Apparently that is not the case as funding issues plague community colleges across the state, including Columbia-Greene, College President Carlee Drummer told Greene County lawmakers Wednesday.
Drummer said funding is supposed to be split three ways, with counties, New York state and student tuition each paying a third of the total share to fund community colleges. She said Greene County and Columbia County have allowed the college to maintain its funding from the counties’ share, but the state has not held up its part of the bargain.
New York state accounted for only 14% of community college funding in 2023, when its share should be between 30% and 35%. Drummer told the legislature’s County Resources Committee the community college sector will ask the state for additional money. The colleges are seeking $97 million to be added to the funding floor. Drummer said this will contribute an extra $500 per student to support educational programs.
Legislator Matthew Luvera, R-Catskill, said the county should consider a resolution directed at elected officials urging them to support community colleges.
“Greene County and Columbia County are holding our end of the bargain,” Luvera said. “What’s wrong with the state? They can’t balance their budget to come up with their piece?”
It’s time for policymakers, elected officials and other education stakeholders to pull their weight and restore equity to community college support.