Act Now - PSC
CUNY is the Path to New York's Future

CUNY’s enrollments are the highest they’ve ever been, and are expected to climb even higher as New Yorkers flock to school in this economic downturn. But Bloomberg’s proposed budget cuts mean higher tuition bills, bigger classes, more course cancellations and close-outs, reduced library hours, fewer books and computers to go around and the further overuse of deteriorating facilities.

Cutting CUNY is the wrong direction! Now more than ever, investing in CUNY is an investment in New Yorkers – and our collective future. Investing in CUNY is the best way to reinvigorate our city’s economy and build our future.

Thanks for your support,

The Professional Staff Congress (PSC/CUNY), representing the 22,000 faculty and professional staff at the City University of New York.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: CUNY is the Path to New York's Future

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am your constituent, writing to urge you to restore the cuts to CUNY proposed by Mayor Bloomberg: a $36.3 million cut to CUNY's operating budget and a $4.3 million reduction in City Council-sponsored programs for CUNY students, such as the Black Male Empowerment Initiative. Moreover, the Council should add $4.45 million to bring the Vallone Scholarships back to its Fiscal Year 2008 level. Rather than cut, it is important to fund CUNY's investment request of $25 million. Additionally, New York State has already allocated $160 million for CUNY capital projects, but this money cannot be used unless the City agrees to match these funds.

I also urge you to reject calls for an increase in Community College tuition. The budget restorations and programmatic investments I mentioned above should be paid for from public funds and not by imposing higher tuition on hard-pressed students.

CUNY is the path to the future for thousands of New Yorkers -- and investing in CUNY is key to reinvigorating our City and State economy and rebuilding our future. In the Great Depression, New York built three CUNY colleges, including Lehman, in the Bronx. (It was known then as Hunter Uptown.) New York knew that investing in higher education was the best way to build our future then, and we need that kind of commitment now.

Please, restore the cuts to CUNY, restore the cuts to the City Council-sponsored programs, increase funding for the Vallone Scholarships, match the State's capital investment program, and don't raise tuition. Now is the time to invest in CUNY.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 14, 2009


Background Information

 

CUNY’s enrollments are the highest they’ve ever been, and are expected to climb even higher as New Yorkers flock to school in this economic downturn. But Bloomberg’s proposed budget cuts mean higher tuition bills, bigger classes, more course cancellations and close-outs, reduced library hours, fewer books and computers to go around and the further overuse of deteriorating facilities.

 

Cutting CUNY is the wrong direction! Now more than ever, investing in CUNY is an investment in New Yorkers – and our collective future. More than two-thirds of CUNY students come from households that make less than $40,000 a year. It’s not fair, and it’s not smart, to ask them to pay down the NYC deficit with budget cuts and tuition hikes. NYC should invest in CUNY students – and in New York’s future.

 

During the Great Depression, New York built three new colleges: Brooklyn, Lehman (then called Hunter Uptown) and Queens Colleges were all built in the 1930s. New York City needs that kind of courageous leadership today.

 

Sign the PSC’s letter for fair funding for CUNY today, and tell your City Council Member to:

  • Reject the $400 tuition increase
  • Restore the Mayor’s proposed cuts ($36.3 million)
  • Fully fund CUNY’s investment program so it can accommodate more students ($25 million)
  • Add back funds for innovative programs, like the Black Male Empowerment Initiative ($4.3 million)
  • Improve funding for scholarships, like the Vallone Scholarships ($4.45 million)
  • Match the state’s money for capital projects ($160 million)

 

CUNY is the best way to reinvigorate our city’s economy and build our future.