Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Governor Andrew Cuomo Delivers State of the State Address

 
Click here to watch the full address.

Source: C-SPAN

Student Assembly Response to the 2018 State of the State Address

The following statement was provided by SUNY Student Assembly President Marc J Cohen.

The Governor's State of the State addressed critical issues facing the students of the State University of New York ranging from food insecurity and environmental sustainability to affordability and sexual assault prevention.

This past month the Governor announced a new initiative to tackle food insecurity on college campuses. We appreciate the Governor using his platform to draw attention to this important yet under-discussed issue. The Student Assembly strongly supports requiring New York's public colleges and universities to house food pantries on their campuses. The Student Assembly will voice its support for this proposal in the Student Life Committee of the SUNY Board and other venues where it will be discussed. Students must have the basic resources necessary to ensure they can focus their time on earning a world-class degree.

The Governor also announced his intention to divest the State’s Common Retirement Fund from the fossil fuel industry. This is an important step in New York’s path to establishing a carbon-neutral footprint. The Student Assembly looks forward to working with the Governor and the Comptroller on this vital initiative in the coming months.

Building off the Excelsior Scholarship program launched last year, the Governor has proposed appointing a student loan ombudsman in the Department of Financial Services. This person will represent student borrowers and protect some of New York’s most vulnerable students. Providing accessibility to an affordable higher education is critical and we thank Governor Cuomo for his continued support.

Finally, the Student Assembly once again echoes the Governor's call for the Legislature to pass the DREAM Act. Countless students across New York State are counting on our elected leaders to make a college education accessible for every New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status.

Source: SUNY SA

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