Marching to the sound of drums and clackers, members of UUP and their statewide affiliate NYSUT rallied at the Capitol steps in Albany Jan. 30. They chanted “1-2-3-4, don’t shut SUNY’s doors” and “2-4-6-8, help our students graduate,” and waved placards that read, “Keep SUNY Open to All” and “Protect SUNY Hospital Patients.” The demonstrators enthusiastically appealed to state lawmakers to amend the governor’s proposed budget and provide additional funding to stop the doors of SUNY from being closed to thousands of qualified students.

“We’ve got to get the public, lawmakers and the governor to understand that SUNY is an important part of the economy of New York,” UUP President Phillip Smith said as he addressed the rally. “We need to make strategic investments to get our economy back. Governor, you can’t be like Herbert Hoover,” said Smith, referring to the former president who plunged the nation deeper into the Great Depression by relying on cutting the budget to solve the crisis.

The rally called attention to how SUNY is suffering under the weight of $148 million in budget cuts in the current fiscal year, leading to limitations on future enrollments, the cancellation of courses that many students need to graduate, and not replacing departing full-time faculty. Smith emphasized that in these difficult economic times, SUNY is more vital now than ever.

“People who’ve lost their jobs are looking for retraining,” Smith said. “Where are they going to go? They’re gonna go to SUNY.”

Helping the hospitals

Smith and the UUPers also addressed the plight of SUNY’s three hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse as they face a proposed $25 million slash in their state subsidy.

“We cannot suffer any more cuts to our hospitals,” Smith said. “Without additional funding, the uninsured and underinsured—whose numbers are increasing as the ranks of the unemployed swell—will have nowhere to turn for life-saving treatment.”

Strong support from NYSUT

NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi lent the strong support of his 600,000-member union’s to UUP, as he marched with dozens of NYSUT members during the rally. In his remarks to the crowd, the union leader emphasized the governor’s budget proposal to eliminate UUP’s negotiated 3 percent salary increase this year.

“This 3 percent salary increase is something you have worked for. This cannot and will not be accepted,” Iannuzzi proclaimed. “Those on Wall Street who have stripped their companies of everything are walking away with golden parachutes.”

Iannuzzi suggested the state take a look at instituting a progressive income tax to help relieve the state’s deficit, a tax that “calls on the wealthiest New Yorkers to finally pay their fair share.”

Legislator lends support

Assemblyman John McEneny (D-Albany) also addressed the rally and pledged his support for UUP’s cause. Saying that three of his four children have been SUNY students, McEneny added, “I know firsthand the importance of SUNY to individual families.”

He echoed UUP’s concerns, saying it’s time to empower people to have the opportunity to access an affordable higher education.

“We need to keep up the good quality of SUNY,” McEneny said. “I pledge to work with you and for you and to roll back some of the (budget) cuts.”

Smith returned to the podium to bring the rally to its climax, tapping the crowd’s energy to elicit support.

“Are you going to allow this budget to deny access to students?” he asked, drawing a loud, responsive, “No.”

“Are you going to come here and help us deliver this message to the Legislature and the governor?” he continued, prompting an overwhelming, “Yes.”

Borrowing the slogan that helped elect President Obama, Smith led the crowd in chanting, “Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!”

— Donald Feldstein