I am writing in response to both the article and the editorial regarding the proposed tuition hike in the Jan. 22 issue of The Spectrum. The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) is pleased to announce that they are organizing an intense campaign against this outrageous proposal. Along with the work of the Student Association and the UB Student Assembly Delegates, NYPIRG will be coming into classrooms, going to student organization meetings and tabling in the Student Union over the next two weeks to discuss what actions can be taken and to recruit students to get involved. It is critical that students actively fight this proposal.
Our campaign will officially kick off on Feb. 3, immediately after Gov. George E. Pataki releases his executive budget on Jan. 29. We will begin with a massive outreach campaign to educate students about the full extent of this proposal, and then on Feb. 12 we will hold an organizing meeting to lay out our plans for the rest of the semester. In the next two weeks, NYPIRG will be collecting postcards to the governor in opposition to this tuition hike. So far we have already collected over 45,000 cards statewide.
NYPIRG, the Student Association and NYSSA are also planning several events and opportunities for students to join in the fight. There are also a number of huge statewide events for the end of February in the works, details of which are still being finalized.
NYPIRG, SA and NYSSA will do everything they can to reach you, but if we are unable to do so, it is imperative that you find us. Stop by the NYPIRG office in Suite 203 of the Commons or visit the SA office in 350 Student Union anytime. You can reach us at 568-1039 or the Student Association at 645-2950. For a detailed look at NYPIRG's higher education campaign, please visit www.nypirg.org. Again, I urge everyone to fight back and make sure that your voice is heard.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
