By Press-Republican Video Intern/Whitney Simkins
PLATTSBURGH — An overcast sky seemed to predict dark days ahead as hundreds of Plattsburgh State students and faculty turned out to protest "SUNYcide."
Some call it an all-out assault on higher education, and others said students and parents are being forced to fix problems caused by bankers and "fat cats."
All steered anger toward Gov. David Paterson's proposal to cut $90 million from the State University of New York, a move that could cost jobs, slash programs and raise student fees at Plattsburgh State.
TAKING THE REVENUE
"There is a strong need for the student voice to be heard," said Brandon Grom, Student Association vice president for central affairs.
"SUNY cannot afford more budget cuts on top of tuition increases that are taken by the state for budget deficits. Our campuses are suffering, our students are suffering, and, most importantly, our education is suffering."
Paterson slashed more than $148 million from SUNY in 2008 and also kept 90 percent of the revenues generated from a $620 tuition increase. This year, the state is keeping 80 percent of the revenues generated from that tuition hike.
Paterson plans to cut $90 million from SUNY this year, which could translate to up to $1.8 million less for Plattsburgh State, which is faced with a $3.8 million deficit.
LOCAL IMPACT
The local university would have to eliminate 66 positions, which average a yearly salary of $54,000, to close the budget gap. University officials are examining the budget and say any moves to deal with the deficit will include layoffs, program reductions and more and would negatively impact Plattsburgh State and its students.
Paterson further proposed a $26 million cut to the Tuition Assistance Program.
BURNING MONEY
More than 200 students and faculty and staff gathered in the rain for Wednesday's protest in front of Kent Hall. It included speakers, music and the burning of fake money with Paterson's face on it as a symbolic gesture of the way students feel the governor is burning through SUNY dollars.
Plattsburgh State senior Eric Petersen held a sign that read, "SUNY Doesn't Spell Piggy Bank."
"I think this will become a good way to get our voices heard and educate people on an unfair tax burden to students," he said. "You can't charge us money and then not put it back into the SUNY system."
ECONOMIC TOLL
SUNY is an investment in the future of the state of New York, said faculty Union President David Curry, and students are the future leaders. They need a system that works, said the associate professor of nursing and nutrition.
The $4 million deficit at Plattsburgh State could translate to nearly $12 million less in local economic benefits.
"That's a lot of pizzas, haircuts and car rides," Curry said. "People in the community depend on that."
Lindsay Lyons, speaking to a parade of umbrellas and wet students, urged people to find their voice and work to make a difference.
"The weather is not great today, but it does go with the doom and gloom of this whole situation," said the president of the Student Association.
As the protest — one of several planned throughout the state — progressed, students chanted as one and did little to hide their displeasure to what they called a disinvestment in higher education.
'GET MADE'
Dr. James Armstrong, a product of public higher education who has spent his career teaching at state colleges, said that when he started school, it was free and should be for everyone today.
The anthropology professor told students their educational environment will not improve as a result of Paterson's cuts, and as a result, they will be paying more for less.
Students and parents didn't cause the financial crisis and shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of bankers, "fat cats" and an unresponsive government, he said.
"I want you to stand up for yourselves," Armstrong said to the crowd. "You've got to get mad."
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
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