NYPIRG New York Public Interest Research Group

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: Friday, June 14, 2002

MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR PATAKI AND THE LEGISLATURE: TIME IS RUNNING OUT; PASS BILL TO ALLOW IMMIGRANT STUDENTS TO PAY IN-STATE TUITION AT CUNY AND SUNY

Today, dozens of students, elected officials, union members, and community groups took to the steps of City Hall to rally for higher education access for immigrants. They urged Governor Pataki and legislative leaders to pass a bill before the end of this year's session to allow undocumented and out-of-status students to pay in-state tuition at the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY).

The rally took place less than a week before the legislature adjourns for the summer. If a bill is not passed before the end of session, thousands of CUNY students may be forced to drop out of college due to their inability to pay an additional $1,800 per semester or out-of-state tuition. Many of these individuals have not been able to attend summer classes due to their inability to pay the higher tuition rate.

"My life is in limbo at this point," said Folasayo Fadahunsi, a CUNY student at City College who has been living in New York City for nearly a decade. "I was planning to take summer classes and graduate next semester, but now I don't know if I can continue at that pace. It all depends whether or not I am eligible to pay in-state tuition."

In response to a shift in policy at CUNY that required undocumented and out-of-status resident students to begin to pay out-of-state tuition, Assemblymembers Rivera and Espaillat introduced bills in the legislature that would allow these individuals to continue to pay in-state tuition. Senator Espada sponsored the bills in the Senate. Governor Pataki pledged his support, but has not yet put together a program bill required to pass the legislation.

"Governor Pataki should put his pen where his mouth is," said Miriam Kramer, NYPIRG's Higher Education Director and rally organizer. "Time is running out and thousands of immigrant students are still waiting for the Governor to take action and follow through on a promise he made months ago."

Attachments: student statement

For more information contact Miriam Kramer

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