Don't Cut CUNY, Don't Cut New York's Future
On October 6, Governor Paterson proposed a $53 million cut to CUNY senior colleges, and a week later, he added a $9.9 million cut to CUNY community colleges and a $120 per semester per student cut to TAP grants among other higher education cuts. These cuts can only happen if the Legislature votes to approve them. Let's tell them -- Don't Cut CUNY, Don't Cut New York's Future.
CUNY cannot absorb any more cuts. The University is already cramming students into overcrowded classrooms and squeezing 60 adjunct faculty into a single office. Enrollment is the highest it has ever been; the demand for a CUNY education has never been greater. It makes no sense--economically or morally--to cut the University now.
Once you've sent your letter, you can also call your representatives by clicking here http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ and choosing your Assembly member and here http://www.nysenate.gov/senators to choose your senator.
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Talking Points
New York State cuts to CUNY:
* $17.7 million in April 2008 (FY 2009)
* $50.6 million in August 2008 (FY 2009)
* $44 million in April 2009 (FY 2010)
* From 1991 to 2008 (before the $50.6 million listed above), state funding of CUNY senior colleges fell 14% in per-student, inflation-adjusted dollars
Plus
* This year, a 15% increase in tuition for senior college students (FY 2010). As of this semester, student tuition dollars cover 40.4% of CUNY?s budget, up from 35.6% last year. Tuition has more than doubled since 1991, and it?s now $4,600 per year for an undergraduate student at a senior college.
The governor's announcement also includes a $90 million cut to SUNY and a $35 million to the Higher Education Services Corporation, which administers student aid. In total, 36% of the governor?s proposed cuts fall on higher education.
"New York State has never needed CUNY more than now; the State should be investing in CUNY, not cutting. The proposed cut, coming on top of a history of cuts, puts the future of a whole generation of New Yorkers at risk," PSC President Barbara Bowen said.
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Subject:
Don't Cut CUNY -- Don't Cut New York's Future
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Dear [ New York Lawmaker ],
I'm writing as to ask you to say no to Governor Paterson's proposed cuts to CUNY and TAP. These cuts can only happen if the legislature votes to approve them. You have the power to say "no" and it is in the best interest of your constituents to do so.
As you know, we at CUNY have already suffered a $68 million cut last year and a $44 million cut this year. Our students are paying 15% more in tuition.
The fact is that CUNY cannot absorb any more cuts. The University is already cramming students into overcrowded classrooms and squeezing 60 adjunct faculty into a single office. Enrollment is the highest it has ever been (up at the senior colleges by 6.4% this year alone); the demand for a CUNY education has never been greater. It makes no sense--economically or morally--to cut the University now.
Now, with unemployment in New York City hitting 10%, CUNY represents the only chance for a college education for hundreds of thousands of ordinary people. A cut of this size could force the University to reduce its student population and deny thousands of people an opportunity for a better life.
The governor has swung hard at public higher education in our state in this budget cut. It's the wrong choice at any time, and especially the wrong choice now, when we need to invest in our future. The proposed cut, coming on top of a history of cuts, puts the future of a whole generation of New Yorkers at risk. Stand up for our future -- vote "no" on Governor Paterson's proposal.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
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