Hundreds rally against SUNY tuition hikes
Fact Box
Fact Box:
WHAT: SUNY Fredonia student rally against governor Paterson's tuition tax proposal
WHEN: Today at 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Williams Center main concourse
WHY: 90 percent of this year's $310 tuition increase, and 80 percent of next year's would be taken by New York state and would not serve the campuses themselves.
By MICHAEL RUKAVINA
OBSERVER Staff Writer
Hundreds of students and a number of university officials turned out this afternoon to protest tuition hikes throughout the State University of New York system.
"I'm delighted that the students are speaking out; they recognize that placing a tax on tuition is an inappropriate thing for the state to be doing," SUNY Fredonia President Dennis Hefner said Wednesday. "For them to come together in this rally, I think, will send a clear message to Albany that this should stop and stop now."
Hundreds of students, along with county and campus officials, are expected to fill the Williams Center concourse today at 3 p.m. to rally against what has been proposed in the governor's budget.
According to SUNY Fredonia officials, and as stated in Gov. Paterson's budget proposal, SUNY's four-year campuses have to date incurred a collective $210 million decrease in state support (a 14 percent cut - the largest in the state budget).
To offset one-third of this cut, the SUNY Board of Trustees reluctantly raised in-state undergraduate tuition by $310 per student at mid-year. The board was concerned students would not have access to the classes they need, and directed campuses to use these dollars to bolster instruction. From that $310 increase, governor Paterson proposed taking 90 percent the first year, and 80 percent the following year - leaving $31 and $62 respectively for the campuses themselves.
"I think there will be a public outcry when students and parents find out where their tuition money is going," Hefner said during the last College Council meeting on Feb. 4. "The gloves are off at this point in a sense."
Along with Hefner, speakers at the rally today include: New York State Senator Catharine Young, SUNY Fredonia Student Association President Nick Dhimitri and Senior Class President Patrick Horn.
According to Hefner, several rallies have already take place across the state. The most recent, and closest to the SUNY Fredonia campus took place a week and a half ago on the Alfred State campus.
"There have been one or two others and it's my understanding that statewide the Student Association is encouraging all SUNY four-year campuses to have a rally sometime within the next month," Hefner said.
For more information on protests going on throughout the state please visit www.sunyadvocates.org.
Comments on this article may be sent to mrukavina@observertoday.com
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PhilJulian
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02-19-09 8:13 PM
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We pay a big price for a structure of government that is excessive and indefenseable. To pay for all that government our leaders want to hand the bill to our college students. After all, students simply need to add the expense to their college loans. What a neat way to pay for the actions of the crooks we send to Albany! Let's face it, the unions and special interests are running and ruining this state along with a bunch of corrupt politicians.
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BogusBuster
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02-19-09 6:52 PM
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Lets tax cold air in Winter Tax cold water in summer. Tax people for getting slimmer Tax people for voting for Schumer. Tax a little mouse. Tax the cat in your house. Tax people working for Uncle Sam. Tax people for eating eggs and Ham. Tax Tax Tax, Be sure you tax to the max. Tax Tax Tax, Drive on I-90, theres a fee - nothing in this State (not even driving on a Federal road) is free.
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BogusBuster
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02-19-09 6:45 PM
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Leave no taxes behind !
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BogusBuster
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02-19-09 6:45 PM
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Lets leave no stone untaxed !
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BogusBuster
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02-19-09 6:43 PM
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Our Governor is a Socialist. His Goal is to "explore strange new taxes and to boldly tax what no government has taxed before". I think he is running out of things to tax. Are there any limits?
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SJMinTX
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02-19-09 7:35 AM
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When will the government of NYS learn???? For crying out loud - maybe someone should point them to the founding of our country and the Boston Tea Party?? NYS TAXES IT'S CITIZENS "TO DEATH" and they probably even try to tax you AFTER that. There's a BOATLOAD of idiots in Albany that need to be sent packing!!! Put 'em all on a boat or plane and send 'em someplace else!!!! TAX. TAX. TAX. It's the only thing those dipsticks know. Considering the "tax problems" of Federal appointees - it might be interesting to do a thorough review of the tax records of those people y'all elected to Albany!
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