Faculty at Utica University

LOGINS Academic Alert  Adobe Connect  BannerWeb CANVAS Curriculum Committee Portal Engage FAC/PDC Materials General Education Assessment Issues Under Discussion SiteManager CMS SOOT Faculty Login UC Alert VoiceThread Webmail   RESOURCES Benefits Dealing with Difficult Students Employment Opportunities Media Center Requests Room Reservations Resources for Faculty Students/Situations of Concern Referral Form Title IX Wellness

INFO Academic Assessment Academic Information Campus Directory College Policies Department Chairs Faculty Senate Info for Adjunct Faculty Moodle Transition Search Committee Information Support UC   OFFICES Academic Affairs Campus Safety Center for Innovative Learning Environmental Health Facilities Help Desk Human Resources

---

UC NEWS

Back to News Archive

Students, Faculty Make A Stand in Albany

UC Contingent Fights Against Proposed Budget Cuts

Written By Thomas Armitage '09, PR Intern

Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (02/12/2009) - Utica College students, faculty and staff returned home Tuesday evening after spending the day in Albany fighting against Governor David Paterson’s proposed budget cuts to student financial aid.
Paterson’s proposal calls for an increase from 12 to 15 credits to qualify one as a full-time student, a 50 percent cut in C-STEP funding, a reduction of TAP and a complete elimination of graduate TAP, as well as additional cuts to “Bundy” aid.
Student Lobby Day each year is coordinated and sponsored by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu). On Feb. 10, more than 1000 students from various colleges and universities across New York State ventured to the state’s capital to voice their concerns about aid cuts.
A total of 54 students from UC attended the event. Upon arriving at the legislative office building, the group divided; half of the students lobbied for occupational therapy reform while the other half lobbied against the financial aid proposals. Issues related to licensing of occupational therapy assistants and updating the Occupational Therapy Practices Act, among other concerns, were discussed. The occupational therapy laws in New York have not been reviewed or updated since 1975.
“I believe Utica College made a big impact, as we had one of the largest number of student representatives among the colleges who participated,” said Luke Centore, a junior journalism major at Utica College. “I believe that the middle class is sometimes overlooked and financial aid provided by the state is critical in helping those students attend higher education. Overall, it seemed Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and Senator Joseph Griffo were very receptive to what we had to say.”
Upon returning back to Utica, Ken Kelly, dean of students, congratulated the participants on a wonderful job throughout the day. “I want to thank all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to attend Student Lobby Day,” Kelly said. “I believe our efforts were indeed effective.”

# # #