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State University of New York’s Board of Trustees ended the practice of withholding transcripts from SUNY students with outstanding balances on Jan. 25, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in her 2022 State of the State address.

“Thousands of New Yorkers are unable to obtain their transcripts from higher education institutions across the state, because they owe small amounts of money, such as tuition fees, library fines, or parking tickets,” Hochul said.

SUNY-ESF President Joanie Mahoney is happy to see the change come to the SUNY system. Removing the hurdle, Mahoney said, will bring equity to economically disadvantaged students.

“ESF students make many sacrifices to reach their academic goals, and to have their progress stalled by unpaid fees is counterproductive to launching their careers or continuing their education,” Mahoney said in a statement to The Daily Orange.

According to Syracuse University’s Office of the Registrar, the university implements financial holds. Holds are placed by the university’s bursar. The website directs students to SU Bursar’s Office’s website to resolve the holds.

“Transcripts are not released for students or alumni with outstanding financial or student conduct obligations,” said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications.

Separate financial holds can be applied by the university’s bookstore, the Office of Student Debt Management, Syracuse University Libraries as well as Parking and Transportation Services.

Some of SU’s peer institutions also have financial holds, such as Cornell University, Washington University in St. Louis and George Washington University.

Hochul said the state must pass legislation to end transcript withholding, which she called an unjust practice, outside of SUNY schools throughout the state.

Legislation proposed by New York State Senator Kevin Thomas would prohibit higher education institutions in the state from withholding a transcript from students who owe a debt. Thomas said the practice is sometimes called transcript ransoming.

“Each withheld transcript represents a student who was denied the opportunity to pursue a chosen career path, denied access to social and economic mobility through higher education, and ultimately denied access to the American Dream,” the legislation reads.

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah Stanley said people enter the SUNY system for an affordable college education. Being held back by fees alone, she said, is unfair to students.

Hochul called transcript withholding a punitive barrier against helping New Yorkers succeed in her statement regarding the change in SUNY policy.

“This is a matter of common sense,” she said. “New Yorkers will not be able to climb the ladder of success and get out of debt if their financial challenges prevent them from accessing those opportunities.”

Published on February 17, 2022 at 12:03 am

Contact Kyle: kschouin@syr.edu | @Kyle_Chouinard