In an interview with political reporter Juan Manuel Benítez, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez says federal aid would be crucial in determining the university budget for next year.

“No decisions have been made about tuition for next year,” Matos Rodríguez said. “We are all for example lobbying very hard for the federal government to do its part and provide aid to the states. That aid to the states would be crucial. So we are waiting to see what the landscape is closer to the end of June when we have to enact our budget to make that decision.”

Last December, CUNY proposed a $320 tuition increase; but Matos Rodríguez said “the world is a different place today.”

CUNY was forced to switch to distance learning in mid-March amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Faculty and students had to adapt to the new reality. “I’m proud of the work that we have done acknowledging that there’s more work to be done and we are committed to do whatever we can to continue the resources to make that happen,” Matos Rodríguez said.

It’s not clear yet whether students will be going back physically to CUNY schools this Fall or teaching will have to continue virtually.

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Photo above courtesy of CUNY.