CUNY art history program?

[summertouch]

Does anyone know well about the CUNY art history program? I would like to hear some insider's opinion in terms of how close advisors work with their students, financial support for PhD students, or just the general atmosphere. I was accepted to their PhD program a couple of weeks back and I am yet to hear about funding decisions. In the meantime, I have another offer from a big state school with an amazing financial packet. I have to make my decision by April 15 (and the CUNY letter said the funding decisions will be made NO LATER than April 15). I know CUNY has a strong program especially for those in contemporary art, which is my area. However, I'm not sure if it's worth the money I'll have to invest even if I get a fellowship because I know it as a fact that it won't be enough to live on in NYC. CUNY seems to have more prestige than the state school I was accepted to, though. I'm wondering if it's really stupid to say no to CUNY in this case...