Spitzer Calls for Overhaul of Higher Education

ALBANY — Creating internationally renowned campuses such as the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor and making the State University of New York's reputation equal to the University of California system are among the goals Governor Spitzer outlined yesterday.

He created a one-year commission of leaders in public and private higher education to create a new and integrated higher education system in New York. But he said that won't necessarily mean higher tuition at SUNY and the City University of New York because the commission will also explore new revenue sources from alumni, private industry and government.

Much of Mr. Spitzer's focus was clearly on SUNY. He noted that although New York has 14 of the top 100 universities in the nation, unlike California, none of them are public institutions.

"It will move with speed and give us a blueprint to move an institution that is already doing wonderful work, but will make it a world class institution," Mr. Spitzer said.

Major intercollegiate sports could also build SUNY's image, Mr. Spitzer said, joking that it might help to win an NCAA football championship. Mr. Spitzer gave the commission strict deadlines of December 1 for a preliminary report and June 2008 for a final report.