CUNY faculty, staff and students applaud the Legislature's funding for CUNY.  This is a beginning.  We now need Governor Pataki to do the right thing and maintain the Legislature's funding.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a member of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, I want to thank first the members of the New York State Assembly and Senate for listening to the university community's call for funding CUNY at an appropriate level so that it can well serve the people of New York and not further burden students with yet another tuition increase. In a year when there is a considerable surplus in the state budget, I believe that the revenue should be used to support public sector institutions.

I applaud the Legislature's adding a total of $66.2 million to both CUNY's operating and capital budgets, including $45.7 million for tuition support, $20.3 million in operating aid and for full-time faculty lines, $4.7 million in base aid to community colleges, bringing the total funding level per FTE to $2,525, and an additional $1.4 million for SEEK/CD. And the restoration of the TAP cuts and establishment of a part-time TAP program that is particularly important for our students.

I urge you to maintain the Legislature's funding for CUNY and not use your pen like a knife to excise or veto these restorations. CUNY has a long way to go to achieve the amount of revenue lost over the last decade, but this is a beginning. It will stand as a wonderful legacy and the people of the city and the students and faculty/staff of the university will not forget it.

Respectfully,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 31, 2006