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NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release:
 November
17, 2003 |
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COLLEGE STUDENTS TURN
UP THE HEAT
URGE GOV PATAKI TO “FREEZE TUITION” AND MAINTAIN FINANCIAL
AID AND FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Bundled
up in hats, scarves, and gloves, college students and advocates,
today, turned up the heat on Governor Pataki as they staged “frosty”
events on ten campuses statewide. They were joined by “Frosty
the Snowman” as they urged Governor Pataki to “freeze
tuition” and propose a budget that maintains current funding
for colleges and universities as well as financial aid and opportunity
programs.
“Governor Pataki should pledge to the students
of New York that he won’t increase public college tuition and
will hold financial aid harmless in any upcoming budget negotiations,”
said Joel Kelsey, a student at SUNY New Paltz and Chairperson for NYPIRG’s
Board of Directors.
“Students in New York got hit very hard in last
year’s budget,” said Stephen Heath, a student at SUNY Albany.
“The Governor should come out in support of students early on
in the budget process; he should tell us he’s going to help us
stay in school, not force us out.”
New York college students and their supporters urge
the Governor to:
· Hold the line on tuition at CUNY and SUNY.
· Maintain TAP and the opportunity programs.
· Prevent further cuts to SUNY and CUNY.
· Prevent cuts to Bundy Aid.
“New
York's future depends on its investment in higher education, said Miriam
Kramer, NYPIRG Higher Education Coordinator. “The college and
university students of today are the taxpayers and public and business
leaders of tomorrow. We urge the Governor and Legislature to support
a budget plan that will infuse essential funds and resources into our
colleges and universities.”
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