2008 Woodie Awards
SGA Fights Possible Budget Cuts
Denise Graham
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Top Stories
William Paterson students are taking a stand against Gov. Corzine's proposed state budget that would cut funding of higher education by $169 million.
The SGA began a letter-writing campaign on March 25 to persuade state senators and assembly members to oppose the budget cuts.
"Similar to 2006, Gov. Corzine is trying to cut funding an average of 10% per state school," said SGA Association President, Jamie Mariano. "This campaign is meant to influence district leaders to discourage Corzine from making those cuts."
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the president of Rutgers University, Richard L. McCormick, "forecast not only higher tuition but layoffs, the cancellations of hundreds of classes and reductions in essential student services," along with monumental cuts in state support.
Although the proposed budget is subject to change, state legislators have a July 1 deadline until a budget is approved and goes into effect.
Mariano said that William Paterson is teaming up with other state colleges and universities to fight on a statewide level. They have compiled a list of phone numbers for different district leaders in hopes that people will help by calling and voicing their own concerns.
She has encouraging students, faculty, administrators and parents to participate in the campaign. The letters signed will be sealed in individual envelopes and sent to the respective districts.
Mariano spoke before the Assembly Budget Committee last Wednesday in Jersey City to address the different problems that come with cutting funds for colleges throughout the state.
"This letter writing campaign is only a part of a bigger picture," said Mariano. "We are doing many other things to try and fight the cut."
For those interested in signing letters,
Tables have been set up on
Main Street in the University Commons
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and
Valley Road
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
now until April 3.
The SGA began a letter-writing campaign on March 25 to persuade state senators and assembly members to oppose the budget cuts.
"Similar to 2006, Gov. Corzine is trying to cut funding an average of 10% per state school," said SGA Association President, Jamie Mariano. "This campaign is meant to influence district leaders to discourage Corzine from making those cuts."
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the president of Rutgers University, Richard L. McCormick, "forecast not only higher tuition but layoffs, the cancellations of hundreds of classes and reductions in essential student services," along with monumental cuts in state support.
Although the proposed budget is subject to change, state legislators have a July 1 deadline until a budget is approved and goes into effect.
Mariano said that William Paterson is teaming up with other state colleges and universities to fight on a statewide level. They have compiled a list of phone numbers for different district leaders in hopes that people will help by calling and voicing their own concerns.
She has encouraging students, faculty, administrators and parents to participate in the campaign. The letters signed will be sealed in individual envelopes and sent to the respective districts.
Mariano spoke before the Assembly Budget Committee last Wednesday in Jersey City to address the different problems that come with cutting funds for colleges throughout the state.
"This letter writing campaign is only a part of a bigger picture," said Mariano. "We are doing many other things to try and fight the cut."
For those interested in signing letters,
Tables have been set up on
Main Street in the University Commons
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and
Valley Road
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
now until April 3.
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