BROOKLYN COLLEGE–The New York Public Interest Research Group garnered over 250 signatures across CUNY and SUNY campuses through a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding more investments in the university’s public education systems. Organizers and their supporters are calling on Hochul to consider in her upcoming executive budget providing each university a $500 million operating budget, funding for community colleges to stay afloat through enrollment declines, expanding programs like the Tuition Assistance Program, and other resources.
“Students, faculty, and staff have been sounding the alarm on higher education funding shortfalls for years,” read the letter shared on a Google Form. “And while the state’s last adopted budget begins to answer the call, the work is far from over to meet the financial needs of New York’s students, faculty, staff, and institutions.” The letter emphasized the importance of investing in New York’s public college education, given that it is “an engine for economic growth” in the state, where over 80% of CUNY graduates stay to work in New York.
