The efforts of William Paterson University students to fight New Jersey’s budget cuts have gone from the Student Center, to the halls of the Trenton Statehouse, and finally, to Jersey City. However, it has yet to be determined how these efforts will pay off.
“It’s a big fight. It’s very difficult. But at least they are being forced to hear us,” said Jessica Pepe, Student Government Association president and a junior at WPU.
Propped on top of a bookcase in her student center office is an orange sign that reads: “CORZINE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT STUDENTS!!!”
It was from a protest she participated in with two other members of the SGA at WPU, and approximately 20 faculty and students from New Jersey City University, where the governor was holding a press conference on immigration, Monday, March 30.
“I figured that would really get to him,” Pepe said about the sign. But even that didn’t change the governor’s mind. “He didn’t seem to be listening to any of our arguments,” Pepe said.
In fact, if Corzine’s proposed budget is approved, it will cut appropriations to nine of New Jersey’s colleges and universities by $13.8 million, which is 5 percent, according to the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities. And it seems the budget is close to being approved.
“The legislature and governor would like to get it pushed through as soon as possible because it is a painful budget,” said Paul Shelly, spokesman for NJ Association of State Colleges and Universities. He added that while the proposed budget is on the table constituent groups will continue to lobby their representatives.
What are the goals of the NJASCU now?
“We’re pressing for at least no more cuts and hope there will be the chance for more restoration of funds. The picture does not look better by the day,” Shelly said.
This is why Pepe, along with six other WPU students and faculty, represented the university at a General Assembly Budget hearing in Trenton on Thursday, March 26. After waiting in the statehouse for five hours, Pepe read a prepared statement to members of the legislature. In it, she described how cutting funds for higher education subverts the public safety, why college degrees are a necessity not a luxury, and how funding for tuition scholarships -- such as the full one which she receives -- are needed to draw high performing students to the university.
SAFETY
“Our police officers are the lowest paid in the area, which not only is insulting to the line of duty they serve, but it makes it difficult for the department to hire and maintain a qualified police staff. There are not enough funds to advertise our shuttle route called ‘Safe Ride,’ which is a shuttle run service for students walking around campus late at night,” Pepe told the committee.
EDUCATION
“Regardless of experience and work ethic, we, as the aspiring youth of this nation, will not get a quality job without a college degree. We need that piece of paper that says we have attended and graduated an institution of higher education,” Pepe said in her testimony.
NEED
“We, or most of us, do not have a steady income. We are the ones that circle ‘student’ under occupation when filling out forms. We are taking out loans. We will be paying off debt in years to come. And, we have no other choice but to go to college,” Pepe said in her testimony.
Mike McCabe, a senior, and president of the Young Democratic Socialists at WPU was in Trenton with two other YDS members to help garner funding for higher education. In a phone conversation, McCabe recommended ways to alleviate the budget crisis, which is causing the state to cut spending in higher education.
“You can raise taxes and have some sort of progressive taxation in the state,” McCabe said. He added: “Corporations such as Pfizer, Nabisco and the uber-rich in New Jersey are getting around it.”
Since the New Jersey College Action Promise Network (www.njcollegepromise.com) began their campaign to fight New Jersey’s budget cuts, 2,676 people have registered. Of these, 213 identified themselves as WPU students and 490 identified themselves as being in some way connected to WPU, Shelly wrote in an e-mail. He added: “WPU student numbers are dazzling in comparison to other institutions.”
Budget hearings are scheduled through May 20, the New Jersey legislative calendar indicates. And the legislature has until midnight of June 30 to pass the budget, the state constitution dictates.
Pat DeDeo, director of external relations for the university said the next big days for colleges and universities will be on April 28 and April 29, when the committees hear from the higher education community.
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