Politics & Government

Christie Uses Incorrect Data During Westfield Event

GOP gubernatorial nominee said SUNY schools are cheaper for NJ students than Rutgers.

Data on public higher education that Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie provided during an appearance in Westfield last week has proved inaccurate.

During a press conference following a round table discussion on higher education issues, Christie cited an anecdote from a New Jersey guidance counselor saying that a New Jersey student attending either of two campuses of the State University of New YorkAlbany and Binghamton—would pay less money than attending Rutgers. Christie used the anecdote to reinforce a statement he made during the roundtable saying that New Jersey's public colleges have become too expensive for New Jersey students. Last week, Christie toured the state with running mate Kim Guadagno holding a series of events on higher education.

A review of data for projected 2009-2010 costs at the three universities in question by Westfield Patch reveals that Rutgers would be cheaper for a New Jersey resident to attend, and live on campus, than either of the two SUNY schools referenced by Christie. A New Jersey resident living on campus at Rutgers is expected to pay $22,262 in tuition and fees for the 2009 - 2010 academic year. An out-of-state student at the University at Albany will be paying $24,886 in projected costs for next year. An out-of-state student at Binghamton University will be paying $27,280 in projected costs for next year. SUNY schools traditionally refer to themselves without using the SUNY moniker.

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sources at the schools indicated that the projected costs provided on their Web sites were projected and could change based on various costs by the students including the type of meal plans and size of rooms. All costs were determined on the average size rooms and meal plans at the respective universities.

Rising costs at SUNY schools have been an on-going issue in New York State politics dating back to the 1990s. Advocacy groups regularly accused former Gov. George Pataki of underfunding the system, and causing tuition and fees to rise. Protests against rising tuition and fees have been common place on campuses against both university leaders and government officials. A comprehensive higher education reform plan offered by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer fell apart following Spitzer's March 2008 resignation.

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Christie campaign spokeswoman said that the gubernatorial candidate had been using the story in order to emphasize his point on higher education. She said he had trusted the person who told him the information and started using it. The spokeswoman said that Westfield Patch's inquiries into the issue would cause the former U.S. Attorney to stop using the anecdote at future campaign stops.

"Chris was using a story he was told to prove a point about the affordability of New Jersey schools," Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella said, noting that while the candidate will stop using the anecdote he will continue pressing for lowering higher education costs.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here