Submitted by Larry Littlefield, Dec 14, 2007 09:06

While I agree that as for mass transit, smaller regular tuition hikes are better than political pandering followed by whoppers, I otherwise agree with Ms. de Russey. Higher education is the one of the few public services where New York's spending and staffing are well below the national average. That isn't terrible, particularly for NYC residents who, as a result of a state policy of providing them with inferior elementary and secondary schools, are less likely to attend college to begin with.

If SUNY and CUNY are going to hire more full timers, I can only hope they'll teach at least five classes per term. Higher education in general has bulked up with administrators and "eminent scholars" who do more research and less teaching, as much or more in the private sector as in the public. The reason I don't donate more to my own college is that someone in my parent's position today would not be able to afford it, and I prefer to donate to those poorer than I am rather than richer.

Online education, or online education combined with discussion meetings at public libraries and rented time at labs, is the way to make higher education more affordable, and NY has had some accomplishments there. Online education could allow city residents to live at home and hold a part time job while learning. If they are expected to go upstate to support a huge non-teaching staff there, then they cannot hold a job and have to pay their living expenses.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.