Students rally against SUNY budget cuts

 

 
            The economy might be starting to grow again but students are discovering that financial troubles are still knocking at their door in New York State.

 

 
 
 


 

 

 
            In a movement organized by the Student Association, students rallied outside of the Student Union on Thursday to sign a petition and voice their concern with Gov. David Paterson's proposed SUNY budget cuts.

 
            Earlier this month, Paterson announced a plan to cut $90 million from the SUNY budget in addition to the $143 million cut that was made last year. That extra cut caused UB's tuition to increase an additional $610.

 
            Last year, only 10 percent of the tuition increases went to UB while the remaining 90 percent were allotted to New York State. UB now receives 20 percent of tuition increases, but this is not enough to make up for the predicted cut in funding.

 
            While UB was not as affected by the first round of cuts to the SUNY system, the second round of cuts will affect UB's academic opportunities, faculty and staff and students.

 
            'This next set of cuts [is] really going to start affecting students in a noticeable manner,' said John Martin, a UB council representative. 'I certainly think this is a time to let our local representative and the governor know that we don't support this and we won't stand for it.'

 
            Paterson's proposed cuts have come at an inopportune time for UB, as it just put the finishing touches on its UB 2020 plan.

 
            'These cuts are destroying our precious universities and they will take decades to repair,' said UB President John B. Simpson.

 
            Students attended the rally Thursday to send the message to Paterson that they are fearful of the quality of their education and the future of UB.

 
            'The reason why SUNY schools are such an appeal is because there is such a diverse choice of different majors and availability,' said Rebecca Novick, a freshman business major. 'To know that I have so many options and that budget cuts can possibly take away these options … it's very disheartening.'

 
            The loss of funding will affect every aspect at UB, including all students, according to Jennifer Lewis, a SUNY delegate.

 
            'This is very real and very important. Next, it can be your department,' Lewis said. 'It would be a shame for students to leave SUNY schools because they can't afford it. This is our campus affecting your friends, your classmates and your faculty, as well.'

 
            SA lead the rally to spread the realities of the situation and to inspire students to fight for their right for a better education.

 
            'The state of New York has a deficit that continues to worsen. As the deficit grows, so does the need to cut funding,' said SA President Ernesto Alvarado. 'Unfortunately, education is the one area that has taken the biggest fiscal hit and that area is the one that affects us the most.'

 
            African American Studies and the Department of Global Gender Studies are two of UB's institutions already being affected, according to Sophia Azeb, a graduate student in American studies.

 
            'We have classes that are being cut, funds that are being cut,' Azeb said. 'We need student support so we can challenge these effectively.'

 
            With over 100,000 SUNY students facing the repercussions of the cuts, SA is encouraging students to contact Paterson and urge him to reconsider this plan.

 
            In the first day of rallying, SA gathered 1,316 signatures to send to Paterson's office in Albany. SA members are hopeful that their cause will be met with the consideration they feel it deserves.

 
            'These days for the apathetic student are long gone and we will not stand for it,' Alvarado said. 'We need the University at Buffalo to stay strong so we can continue to gain an education here. Don't cut our future short.'

 
 

 
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