On Feb. 4th, I traveled to the New York State Capitol in Albany for SUNY Advocacy Day, a full day where SUNY students from across the state come together to make our voices heard. Organized by the SUNY Student Assembly (SUNY SA), the event gives students the chance to meet with legislators and push for stronger investment in SUNY during the upcoming state budget season. It was inspiring to be part of such a powerful, student driven effort.
The day started early as we gathered at 8:30 a.m. at the Empire State Plaza. We received a briefing on our scheduled meetings, key advocacy strategies and the main budget priorities we would be focusing on. SUNY Student Assembly had provided a short training on professional dress, how to address legislators and effective advocacy techniques prior to the day of the event so, navigating the rest of the day was easy.
We were divided into regional groups and I was paired with six other delegates from Monroe Community College, the University at Buffalo and David Buyan from BSG. Our day began with a press conference and rally at the historic Million Dollar Staircase.
As a collective SUNY delegation, our major budget priorities included:
- Investing $1 million in temperature-controlled food pantry lockers, expanding the initiative to 20 additional SUNY campuses and supporting nearly 40% of students who experience food insecurity.
- Allocating $3 million to SUNY’s Higher Education in Prison (HEP) program, enabling expansion to all state correctional facilities, supporting new bachelor’s degree pathways and strengthening the HEP Re-entry Navigator program that assists students transitioning back into academic life.
- Increasing direct state tax support to strengthen academic programs, sustain essential campus services and maintain the resident undergraduate tuition freeze.
- Expanding affordability programs like TAP, Excelsior and SUNY Reconnect by increasing eligibility and access.
- Increasing capital funding to address critical maintenance needs, improve accessibility and modernize aging campus facilities.
- Investing further in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) to build on its long-standing success in supporting students from underserved backgrounds.
We met with six legislators throughout the day, including Patrick J. Carroll (D-96), Brian Maher (R-101)’s staff, Harry B. Bronson (D-138), Dana Levenberg’s office (D-95), Michael J. Fitzpatrick (R-8), and Jonathon Rivera (D-149).
With our local legislator, Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson from the Rochester area, we specifically advocated for improved transportation options in Monroe County, expanded childcare support for non-traditional students and increased capital funding to update aging campus buildings.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak directly with state legislators and advocate on behalf of SUNY students. Advocacy is most powerful when it reflects the real experiences and needs of the communities it represents. I am hopeful that these conversations will lead to meaningful changes in the state budget and expanded opportunities to strengthen the SUNY system.
