By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo State College students are speaking out against SUNY cuts and privatization plans.
Buffalo State Students for Peace are calling for accountability, accessibility, quality and affordable education. Students are upset with efforts to push for passage of the SUNY Empowerment Bill. If approved, it would allow the schools to set their tuition rates.
Student Clifford Cawthon said the bill would hurt many students already struggling to pay their tuition.
"We are not going to take it. If it is passes in the Assembly and and in the state Senate, then we are not going to see it in law very long, because I can assure you students are going to rise up and defend their interests," said Cawthon.
Student Christopher Szafran said he makes too much money to take out student loans, but is cash-strapped.
"I think I have about $30 per week left over for food and gas and what have you, which means I am going into revolving credit card debt while I am in school. Then when I'm out of school I have to work anywhere from 45 to 60 hours a week just to survive," said Szafran.
Students are planning a large rally against the Empowerment bill on October 7th in downtown Buffalo.