SCCC tries to minimize tuition increase

Fearing an exodus of students, Suffolk lawmakers are weighing a $1.8-million plan to amend Suffolk County Community College's budget so that tuition this fall will stay below $4,000 -- on par or below Nassau Community College.

The proposal by Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) means Suffolk's tuition for the semester could go up as little as $190, to $3,966, rather than the $250 officials forecast without a county aid increase.

With no aid hike, tuition will rise to $4,026 -- the highest in the state -- beyond Nassau's $3,990. Under the tentative plan, the county legislature would add $900,000 to the county's current $38.7-million share of college costs while the college would make equal budget cuts by putting off computer purchases and repairs.

The proposal arose Wednesday at the legislature's education committee after faculty union spokesman Kevin Peterman appealed for an increase in county aid, unchanged since 2007. "There's a psychological issue raising it over $4,000," he said.

Several lawmakers also raised concerns that Suffolk already spends $6.4 million a year for the 2,468 local students who attend Nassau.

The legislature's Democratic caucus will meet on the issue Friday and lawmakers will vote on the $195.2-million budget Tuesday in Riverhead.

Mark Smith, a spokesman for County Executive Steve Levy, said Levy opposes the plan, noting the college has a record-high $15.5-million reserve fund to keep tuition down. "We're talking about closing health centers, so we think the reserve fund is the way to go," he said.