As you may know, the New York Public Interest Research Group is New York’s largest student-directed advocacy organization and connects college students from 20 different campuses, teaching them to work on political campaigns. Since 1973, NYPIRG chapters have worked with countless students to win on campaigns aimed at protecting our environment, defending consumer rights and preserving funding for higher education, among other victories.

The spring semester falls on the most critical part of the political calendar. The state legislature is in session, which means there is ample opportunity to push bills for positive change and enact a budget that will protect higher education funding and amply fund projects and agencies. NYPIRG offers students a unique opportunity to get involved in the legislative process by attending lobby days, generating phone calls to officials and working on massive petition drives to influence our policy makers in Albany.

At the top of the legislative agenda this year is increasing higher education funding. Recently, politicians in Albany have cut funding for the State University of New York system and Bundy Aid while restructuring the Tuition Assistance Program to make it available to fewer students. Similarly, in Washington the income threshold has been lowered for the Federal Pell Grant.

Other legislative priorities for the semester include preventing hydrofracking from ravaging Central New York, limiting mercury pollution, enacting the New York State Dream Act, achieving redistricting reform and pushing for publicly funded campaigns. Of course, in addition to the legislative work, NYPIRG will offer services to the needy through the Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Campaign and provide advice to consumers seeking justice through our Small Claims Court Action Center.

The semester will prove a productive and successful one only with the support of the student body. Our semester will kick off with a Student Action Meeting Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. in Huntington Beard Crouse, Kittredge Auditorium. By getting involved with NYPIRG, you will be working to better New York while gaining valuable skills.

Here’s to a great semester,

Ted Traver

NYPIRG Project Coordinator, Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF 

Published on January 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm