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Nancy Zimpher, chancellor of State University of New York along with other senior White House officials met recently for a discussion on how to make higher education affordable. This round table discussion focused on productivity and affordability in higher education.

Zimpher was a part of a group of higher education thought leaders and college presidents who were invited by White House. This group from across the country had a direct discussion with President Obama.

The discussion explored ways in which our country can restore its leadership in higher education attainment. Ideas and thoughts were put forth on how to remove barriers that prevented affordability, college access and student success.

Chancellor Zimpher said that the discussion with President Obama and his higher education colleagues was very rejuvenating, enlightening and productive. He said that our President has all his goals clearly cut out including making education affordable for students in today’s tough economic situation and ensuring an overall improvement in American education.

He also said that he was extremely pleased to have interacted with the administration, our President in particular and discuss the present state of the higher education system and ways to ensure that all the set goals are reached in future.

Many suggestions and ideas that will help make college affordable were discussed in a bid to find a solution to reduce the overall campus costs. Constructive solutions were explored in the highly productive meeting, he said.

In an effort to ease the financial student debt burden placed on students and ensures that more number of students attends college and graduate, many interesting perspectives were shared by participants at the discussion including Chancellor Zimpher.

Some of the perspectives discussed that showered an insight into the issue include ways to lead changes at higher education institutions, advancing attainment and access and enhancing productivity.

Chancellor Zimpher contributed significantly to the discussion by highlighting SUNY’s plans for offering within the system, shared services. He pointed out that this will expand availability of course and academic resources. He also said that students within the SUNY system will benefit from increased efficiency if their plans are implemented.

Many other issues were discussed here that include ensuring that students benefit from predictable higher education costs with the help of rational tuition plan in the 2020 Governer Cuomo’s NY SUNY legislation.

He also highlighted SUNY’s commitment to establishing in its communities across New York, cradle-to-career networks and its comprehensive solution that will effectively address the burden of debt for college students through its co-operative education model.

This in turn will help enhance academic success of students. At every stage of their education, students will be less burdened as there will no more be the necessity for any expensive remediation programs.

It is time to hold more such discussions with participants from across the country to arrive at an effective solution that can address the immediate needs of our higher education system. This is the only way we can resurface and reestablish our prestigious position in this field.