New York’s greatly diverse population fuels our continued innovation and leadership in America. However, the majority of people of color in New York struggle in their pursuit of the American dream in large part due to the choices made during the state budget process.
Our State’s public higher education system has traditionally served as a means for low and moderate income students and students of color to enter the middle class.
73.5% of all CUNY and 20.8% of all SUNY enrollees are students of color. CUNY and SUNY combined educate about three-fifths of all New York college students of color.
The 2010-11 Executive Budget Proposal threatens the ability of students of color to obtain and continue their educational pursuits. Some of the key budget actions are:
- Cut state aid to SUNY and CUNY by $312 million (academic year basis)
- Allow SUNY and CUNY trustees to independently raise tuition, and allow for different tuition by campus and major
- Reduce all Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards and eliminate TAP for graduate students
Better choices could be made that would promote equality of opportunity to all New Yorkers.
How Budget Choices Affect
Jian Liu
I immigrated to the United States with my family in April 2005 from Beijing, China. I attended a public high school in New York City, where I struggled as an English Language Learner.
Like every immigrant, I have my American Dream too. I dream to receive world-class education and become a math teacher. From the time I was young, I have been greatly influenced by an old Chinese saying, “Teachers are engineers of human souls.” Teachers influence whole generations and shape our future society. Behind all great success stories, there are always wonderful stories about teachers. Teachers shape, inspire and motivate other people.
Currently, I am enrolled in the Teacher Academy Program at the City College of the City University of New York; while simultaneously pursuing my undergraduate degree with a major in Pure Mathematics and minors in Secondary Math Education and Physics.
But, after continued state budget cuts to higher education programs, my scholarship has been reduced by several hundred dollars. Like most other CUNY students, I am struggling to support myself through college – I don’t have family to provide me with any financial help for my education. I’m worried that I and many of my fellow students will not be able to graduate in four years because of the rising cost of tuition. I am also worried that with more cuts and reduced resources, my university won’t be able to offer the courses that we need to graduate.
Jian Liu is an active member of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families