Thirty SUNY presidents are asking the Board of Trustees for tuition hikes to compensate for the state?s financial problems, much to the dismay of students.

?We have been very harshly cut,? SUNY Stony Brook President Shirley Strum Kenny says. ?And we are going to have to really cut down what we do for students unless there is some funding.?

Kenny says the state is looking to cut $20 million from her budget. For Stony Brook in particular, the proposed hike in tuition is $545 per semester. Kenny says it could be worse considering it would be the first increase in five years.

Students say the extra $1,100 a year amounts to more than just pennies to them. On top of a possible tuition hike, students also have to worry about getting loans given the state of the economy.

The Board of Trustees will vote on the tuition hike on Nov. 18. Kenny says that?s the same day she?ll find out how much New York State will cut from Stony Brook?s budget.

To see an extended interview with Kenny, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.