Over 14,000 signatures from Binghamton University and other State University of New York schools were delivered to New York Gov. David Paterson’s office last week in opposition to multimillion dollar budget cuts.
BU alone contributed 2,811 signatures, firmly communicating the students’ displeasure with the $90 million budget cut Paterson ordered earlier this year.
“I delivered them personally to the governor’s higher education director,” said Cariann Quick, director of government relations at the SUNY Student Assembly, referring to the Nov. 9 delivery. “At this time, the SUNY SA has not been contacted by him.”
SUNY SA Communications Director Juliette Price said students across the state have been very proactive in the fight against budget cuts. They have called legislators, held rallies and hosted events, including SUNY Palooza, a mass protest held in Albany last year.
“Last year’s tuition hikes were a surprise,” Price said. “[This petition] represents many voices and one SUNY. We are hoping this will shake up Paterson’s view on these cuts, that they are not okay.”
The SUNY budget cuts were proposed on the eve of a $3.2 billion deficit in the New York state budget. Although SUNY schools have united in this massive petition wave, it is unclear if it will have lasting effects on Paterson’s and New York legislator’s actions, as all state agencies are facing proposed budget reductions of 11 percent.
“It is always appreciated when students seek to make their voice heard to the state,” said Matt Anderson, spokesman for the Division of the Budget at the New York state Governor’s Office. “But by the same token, the state has to address the crisis of financial deficit.”
SA President Adam Amit is optimistic about the signatures rounded up in lecture halls and across other SUNY campuses by SA members.
“I believe the petitions will make a difference in the governor’s decision,” Amit said. They send a powerful message that our feelings are adamantly against [the budget cuts].”
Although Paterson does not directly vote on the budget plan for New York, he proposes the legislation outlining his most recent cuts in his Deficit Reduction Plan.
“The state legislators are going to be voting on [the budget] soon. I hope that due to the efforts we have led, [Paterson] will reassess the cuts to SUNY,” Quick said. “But right now, it’s really in the hands of the legislature.”
Anderson would not comment on whether Paterson plans on making more cuts to the SUNY system in the future.
“It is premature to discuss next year’s budget,” he said. “But there will be a $6.8 billion deficit. There are difficult choices ahead.”
Still, Amit said taking any money away from the SUNY system is unacceptable.
“We are the future of the state,” he said. “We need more money into the education system so we can prosper. Taking money away is detrimental.”
Amit said that the SA is in the process of developing concrete plans within BU’s organizations, as well as across the state, to further combat proposed cuts.