Shaw urges activism on TAP

Shaw urges activism on TAPJuly 16, 2004

On July 6, Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw urged students, faculty and staff to oppose cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program. His message is reprinted here as a service to the University community.

As you may know, Gov. Pataki’s budget proposal cuts Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants by one-third. To date, the Legislature has not yet ruled out the Governor’s plan to do so.

This substantial cut would impact Syracuse University significantly. Although SU enrolls students from all over the country and world, 46 percent of students are from New York State. In the 2002-03 academic year, 4,238 students qualified for more than $7 million in TAP funding.

The Legislature has not passed the State Budget for 2004-05, and the status of TAP remains unresolved. Legislative leaders are expected to reconvene by mid-July to resolve the State Budget. Therefore, it is now most opportune to communicate to state legislators that fully restoring TAP is essential to the higher education community and New York State.

Our affiliation with the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu) makes it possible for us to join with other campuses across the state in a strong grassroots advocacy effort. Using an electronic advocacy system, individuals may contact their legislators in a process that takes only minutes. To access the system, go to http://econstituent.votenet.com/cicu and follow instructions for sending an e-mail to state policymakers. Personal information will not be used for commercial purposes.

At this crucial time, I urge you to use this method to e-mail Governor Pataki and New York legislators supporting TAP. Many voices are valuable-and necessary-in the effort to save student aid. Let your voice be heard.

Thank you for participating in this important effort.