Governor proposes that state colleges set tuition

(AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson says the state's public universities should be allowed to set their own tuition rates.

Right now, all tuition hikes at the State University of New York and the City University of New York must be approved by the legislature.

Paterson plans to present the proposed change Tuesday as part of his state budget proposal.

The governor says Albany now "micromanages" everything at the schools, down to the chalk they purchase.

He says that threatens the schools' ability to adapt to changing educational and fiscal circumstances.

The proposal was welcomed by the chancellors of both state universities.

The yearly tuition for state residents at SUNY is $5,070. Residents pay $4,600 at CUNY.

___

Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com