STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK: FULFILLING THE PROMISE

Abstract

This article describes the State University of New York ( SUNY ) and its system of community colleges . More specifically , it addresses the historical origins of New York's community college system , its contemporary structure and nature , particularly in the areas of funding , governance , faculty , students , and programs . The article concludes with a discussion on the future outlook of SUNY community colleges . Enrollment patterns have shifted: Students are more diverse , increasingly female , part - time , and older . Half of all graduates will transfer to a four - year college after graduation; they will perform as effectively as the students who began at those institutions . There are over 12 , 800 faculty in the system; 4 , 490 are full time , with an average annual salary of $49 , 000 . Minorities and women have made substantial gains in faculty and professional staff positions in the least ten years . Funding for community colleges is essentially a shared cost among the local sponsor , the student , and the state . Recently , however , the student has been asked to pay an increasing share of the costs . Current issues include the following: ( a ) statewide budget problems , ( b ) the under - prepared student , ( c ) distance learning , and ( d ) instructional technology . Although community colleges are staged to confront their most difficult financial period , they remain steadfast in their commitment to provide convenient access to higher education at the lowest possible cost .