CUNY advocates push for $100M to bridge funding gap and enhance student services

The City University of New York (CUNY) is calling for increased financial support from the city government to address significant funding gaps that threaten its mission of providing accessible education to New Yorkers. During a recent budget hearing, CUNY representatives highlighted the urgent need for additional operating funds, estimated at around $100 million, to counteract cuts and support essential programs that benefit students and the community.

CUNY officials emphasized the importance of maintaining its role as a "people's university," particularly in light of recent federal funding cuts that have impacted student training programs and research initiatives. The university's ability to help students transition to the middle class is at risk, with concerns raised about the growing number of stop work orders affecting its operations.

Professor John Dennehy from Queens College shared his experience in developing a wastewater COVID surveillance program, which underscored the critical role of CUNY in public health. However, he lamented the termination of over $25 million in federal grants that supported student training programs, which he argued directly benefit underserved communities in New York City.

The budget hearing also featured testimonies from students advocating for transit relief. Many CUNY students face financial barriers that hinder their ability to attend classes, with surveys indicating that a significant percentage have skipped meals or missed classes due to transportation costs. Students are urging the city council to allocate $500,000 for a pilot program providing free MetroCards, which they believe would improve attendance and graduation rates.

Additionally, concerns were raised about the need for more full-time faculty positions to support growing student populations, particularly in high-demand fields such as nursing and computer science. The current funding model is seen as inadequate to meet the needs of both students and faculty, leading to calls for a more sustainable approach to higher education funding.

As CUNY navigates these challenges, the university community is rallying for support from city leaders to ensure that it can continue to serve as a vital educational resource for all New Yorkers, particularly those from low-income and underserved backgrounds. The outcomes of this budget hearing could have lasting implications for the future of education and public health in the city.