United University Professions, a union of 35,000 professional and academic faculty, says Gov. David Paterson’s call for more state-budget cuts will take another $96 million away from the State University of New York and “will irrevocably damage the university’s ability to fulfill its core mission.”
  “This reduction—on top of the earlier $52 million cut from the general fund—will make it impossible to fulfill that mission and could result in tens of thousands of students being turned away, or closed out of courses needed for graduation,” UUP President Phillip Smith said in a statement. “An education delayed is an education denied.”
  “It is inconceivable that SUNY is being directed to absorb an overall cut of $148 million in anticipated state aid, just weeks before classes are scheduled to resume,” Smith said.
  SUNY is already under orders to reduce non-general fund spending by $109 million, which affects residence halls, food service and other operations.
  Paterson, the Legislature and the leadership of SUNY should take steps to protect SUNY and avoid the need to turn students away.
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