Memorandum

TO: Students, The City College of New York

FROM: Fatima Faisal, Student at the City College of New York and Intern at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)

DATE: February 9, 2018

SUBJECT: Higher Education Funding for CUNY and SUNY

The State proposed a “rational tuition” policy back in 2011 increasing student tuition at public colleges by more than $1500, that is about 35%, and is expected to escalate. Many students already find it hard to receive financial aid and to get access to scholarship programs, and if no action is taken quickly, the government will continue to introduce harmful proposals.

Education in the United States is a privilege for every student and without full funding, higher education institutions that are public, cannot support or invest in support services that benefit students. The policy will cut programs like SEEK and College Discovery that aim to help low income students, and are proven to increase college graduation and success rates. If students lose these programs, they will find paying for food, transportation, housing and textbooks hard, impacting their ability to thrive for a better future. Every year students face insufficient course offerings, are in risk of losing their financial aid packages and yet, the Governor of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo continues to propose policies that increases tuition in high percentages.

Public Higher Education should be fully funded for every student, regardless of their race, gender or financial status. With student power and activism in statewide public institutions, like the City College of New York can push State legislators to change their decision, and introduce better policies. The campus provides various resources and programs like the Student Government, student life, Model United Nations Club and the New York Public Interest Research Group that fight for student rights and make sure that students’ problems are heard. In addition, students can attend events, campaigns and protests to fight against such policies. If every student gets involved on campus and makes the effort to fight for their education, the City College of New York and other CUNY and SUNY schools can be cost free. Nevertheless, if state politicians see that college affordability is a bigger issue than they think it is, students can get free monthly metrocards and/or have a mechanism whereby they only have to pay their books and transportation.

If students work together and aim to alleviate college costs, more citizens can earn a college degree and contribute to the economy. Please contact me at ffaisal000@citymail.cuny.edu to discuss the issue. Thank you for understanding, and I hope we, as students can fight for our educational right, and make America for what it stands.