Senior Vice President Robert J. Wagner called the 1996-97 budget "relatively" good news. Funding for the Tuition Assistance Program and some tax support to the state-operated campuses were restored, but capital equipment monies were cut to the bone.

"While maintaining financial support to many UB students with the TAP restoration, this year's budget continues an almost decade-long series of budget reductions with a further 3 percent loss expected in state support," Wagner said.

The State University faces a $46 million reduction in tax support this year, which translates into a $6 million cut to UB. And since SUNY has not yet developed targets for final figures, "these numbers may change a little, but we tend to be very close in our estimates," Wagner said.

The single greatest problem UB faces is the drastic cut to capital equipment funding. System-wide, $21 million was allocated last year to provide support for technology as well as office and lab equipment for faculty. SUNY had requested $27.5 million for 1996-97, which was cut to $5 million in the final budget. This reduction in funding is expected to have a $3 million impact on UB, Wagner said.

UB expects to receive less than $1 million for capital equipment, which "will significantly impact our ability to provide equipment for teaching and research," Wagner said.

Tuition will remain the same for fall 1996, but UB is looking at a fee increase "that would total less than 2 percent of current undergraduate student costs," probably an increase of less than $70, Wagner said.

The budget also included an appropriation that supports the State University Tuition Reimbursable Account.

Other highlights of the budget:

· TAP funding will continue at the 1995-96 level, but students will be required to maintain a cumulative "C" average through their second academic year in order to keep their awards.

· Campuses will be able carry over balances at the end of the fiscal year through the creation of "stabilization accounts."

· A temporary task force on variable campus-based tuition has been authorized and will be required to report to the state legislature and the governor by Dec. 1, 1996.

· EOC funding remains in SUNY.

· A Governor's Merit Scholarship program was established to provide 5,000 four-year merit scholarships to high school students based on the weighted average Regents exam test results in five subject areas, with at least one scholarship awarded to each high school.

And while the budget has been passed, some uncertainty remains. Unfortunately, a mid-year reduction "is possible and likely," Wagner said.

"While the assembly had language that prohibited a mid-year reduction, the final bill eliminated that language."

He added that university officials also are disappointed that the legislature did not provide more of the management effectiveness tools that UB and other SUNY officials have stressed were necessary to offset these budget reductions.

"We've said all along that if we can't get the money, we need (management) tools, and we're not making much headway with getting these tools," Wagner said.