Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur is among a select group that may influence the future of New York's colleges and universities.

She sat on the Higher Education Commission which just released its report.

Action News Reporter Jessica Light spoke with DeFleur about how the recommendations could impact BU and its students.

The SUNY and CUNY systems are the largest public univerisity systems of their kind in the United States.

But the Commission on Higher Education found New York invests signficantly less than other states with similar systems.

The commission says a cost-sharing approach is the best way to increase revenue.

"What you try to do is strike a balance. What is fair in terms of what the students and the families pay. What is fair in what the state invests and what is fair in terms of giving aid." says DeFleur.

The commission found New York is one of the only states in the U.S. without a state-financed student loan program.

Governor David Paterson plans to change that.

He says "Either it will will be a direct loan from the state or it will be a private loan that the state will back. Because of the nature of the state's bonding process, we can actually provide this to people who are in school at a less rate then they've been paying."

The commission also hopes to de-regulate the SUNY System.

Breaking through the red tape for needs like property purchases or construction.

DeFleur says "In construction there are many more rules and regulations about how you have to bid out contracts and how you have to proceed with them."

The state continues its commitment toward research investment.

The committee wants to establish a $3 billion dollar research fund for fields like biomedicine and engineering.

A move that could prove beneficial for research campuses like Binghamton University.

In Vestal, Jessica Light, WBNG-TV Action News.

DeFleur says the commission hopes to simplify the process for changes in tuition.

In New York, the process involves the state legislature and the governor.

She says other states have a set series of modest hikes over time.

The report suggests New York should look at a series of increases of 2.5% to 4%.