NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2004

CUNY STUDENTS GATHER AT CITY HALL
URGE MAYOR, COUNCIL TO REINVEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Community and senior college students from the City University of New York (CUNY) took to the steps of City Hall today to push for increased investment in higher education and their colleges. Students, armed with signs and slogans, urged the Mayor to maintain and increase funding for programs like the Peter Vallone Scholarship and Safety Net program

“We are here to urge ask Mayor Bloomberg to do right by CUNY students,” said Grace O’Toole, a Bronx Community College student. “Students are thrilled that the Council restored the cuts to CUNY in the first budget round and now look toward the Mayor to make the same commitment to higher education as the budget process continues,” she said.

Prior to the news conference, students met with Council Members to discuss the 2004-2005 city budget. In a letter to all 51 Council Members, students wrote, “Unfortunately, this year’s budget battle is not yet over and Mayor Bloomberg is slated to release his Executive Budget tomorrow. If they mirror his recommendations in January, the Mayor’s proposals will pose a severe threat to CUNY, specifically to its six community colleges.” They also delivered information packets to the Mayor, who was unavailable to meet during CUNY Day.

Throughout the day, students stressed the importance of an affordable, accessible, high-quality college education. They advocated for a final city budget that includes (see attached fact sheet for more details):

• Full restorations and increased funding for the Peter F. Vallone Merit Scholarship.
• Full restoration of the Council Safety Net Program.
• Increased funding for CUNY community colleges.
• Increased funding for more full-time faculty lines.

“Students are concerned about the future of higher education in New York,” said Miriam Kramer, a government policy analyst for NYPIRG, a student-directed organization that coordinated CUNY Day. “CUNY students are here today to learn about how city government runs and to interact with their elected representatives, one-on-one. It is critical that these meetings take place so Council Members have the opportunity to get to know the very individuals that their policies directly impact and that college students can witness how major decisions are made and participate in that process.”

Attachments: Students’ Budget Request for 2004-2005, Letter to Council Members

For more information contact Miriam Kramer