Stop Bitching and Take Action.

Kristen Henry, a reporter for The Little Rebellion, interviewed me on my fight against tuition hikes in Albany. I felt that it was blog worthy. Rock and Roll.


1) What exactly did you do to combat the tuition hike and budget cuts the state government made?
2) Why did you do it?
3) Did you use the school's web site supportnewpaltz to send letters at all?
4) Did you do anything separate from NYPIRG?
5) How did you feel when you realized that the 80/20 budget was passed?
6) Do you think there's still room for change? Should students remain involved?
7) How do you feel that the budget cuts are affecting our school so drastically?
8) Do you think that a good effort was made from the school and students to try to counteract the state's actions?
9) All in all, do you feel you made a difference, even if it was passed?
10) Anything else you want to add?


1)What did I do to combat the hike? First and most importantly, I educated myself. It's corny and elementary, but knowledge IS power! I learned everything I needed to know, from the laws, to why the hike was happening, to who voted what way, and so on. That way, when I had the opportunity to speak with legislators, I was informed. They weren't able to sugar coat things or give me empty answers. I knew the answers to what I was asking so that I could make it known that I was pissed off and I knew what I was talking about, and that I insisted they make change. The key is to corner them before they corner you. It really is a battle, but within the mind. You MUST be able to hold them accountable for what they are doing. You must remember that you have the power and not them. You voted for them. You hired them. Your taxes fill their paychecks. They must listen to you. Don't be intimidated. They should be intimidated! But don't go in there with that kind of attitude. You have to be sweet and nice and polite and professional. Start a revolution, but a quiet respectful one! Save the yelling for the streets.

3)I personally as a student used the school's website to send out some e mails. However, in addition to this, I sent many handwritten letters. This is because writing handwritten letters on looseleaf paper speaks volumes louder than simply clicking a mouse. They appreciate the effort. A friend of mine works as a legislative aid in Albany, and she told me this information. Here's what you need to remember. We are a democracy. It is the job of an elected official to vote in a way which their constituency wants them to. We must show them what their constituency wants. If we send 100 hand written letters, that is enough to sway the vote in a certain direction. That's all it takes! 100! And trust me, it works. After all, we passed the Bigger Better Bottle Bill =)

4)I dabbled in the Working Families Party's fair share tax reform campaign, but decided it wasn't for me. They use very strong language that may work for some people, but just wasn't my thing. Also, they are a political party, and I fancy myself to be non partisan. Other than that, most of my activities were guided by NYPIRG, but student lead, so lead by myself, and a few other students (Rachel Williams, Emily Lubicich, Emma Kershen). So while NYPIRG guided us and took us to lobby, everything we did on campus was pretty much our own thing...which is why I LOVE NYPIRG!!! We get guidance and we are mentored but it really is student run! Man did I feel empowered....

5)While the 80/20 budget was meant to appease us, it ANGERED me!!! I was angry because they were like, oh look you get 20 instead of 10! Your glass is half full!!! I was like, hell no, I know that we should be getting 100!!! Never say die. Don't settle. We are still fighting. NONE of our money should be going to fill that gap. I pay my tuition for my professors, my campus staff, my beautiful, beautiful campus! I do not pay that tuition to fix potholes or keep nonviolent criminals in jail or fund elementary schools. That's what my family's OTHER taxes are for.

6)As I just stated above, there is ABSOLUTLEY still room for change!!!! Students should remain involved! There should not be a lull. Then they'll think that we've settled and they'll screw us over more. We have NOT settled. The millionaires who are not getting taxed aren't taking a break to protect their money. We can't take a break either.

7)Well, did you get that e mail sent out the other day by Poskanser about how it's effecting SUNY New Paltz? That's part of my answer. In addition to that, people who can't afford the hike are going to have to drop out. We are going to loose our culture. We are going to loose our identity. We are going to loose our diversity. Because you know who CAN afford those tuition hikes? Rich upper class white people. And that sucks. Everyone deserves an education. Sorry to be blunt.

8)Students need to learn to stop bitching and start a revolution. Many students don't care because their parents pay their way. Some student's parents CAN afford to pay their way. Many students don't even know what's going on because they don't watch the news or check their e mail. They aren't involved in the going-ons of the world. They simply exist. Class, dorm room, maybe a party later. It's a problem. They don't realize how hard they are being slammed, effected, pillaged! In terms of the students, it's always the “usual suspects” combating things. NYPIRG, Working Families Party, and Ben Olsen. Maybe some other little people here and there that I don't know about. But students, this is our fight and our future. Get with it. The school will not exist without the students. But if the students show that they don't care, why should Albany care? I do NOT think that the students made a good effort. But the school most definitely did. Poskanser said himself that he does not like to get involved in politics, and he did. He sent out that e mail. Professors are angry and telling students that they should be taking action. Administrators went to Albany to meet with elected officials the week before I went. The school definitely put forth a good effort, which shocked me. I was very happy about it, and I hope they continue this effort.

9)Honestly? I always feel like I can do so much more. I feel like I haven't done enough. I constantly feel like I am failing. But in the end it makes me work harder. I have to remember that every victory, no matter how small, is my victory, the student's victory. At least I'm trying to do something. I definitely made a difference; I gave the students a voice in Albany.

I'd say that was pretty sufficient. I don't think I have much else to add. I hope that this article empowers students to get off their asses and do something. Tell them to join NYPIRG. SUB 431. We're friendly people. Our chapter meetings are Wednesdays at 3 but we're in the office all the time. Become empowered and make change...and new friends =)

Love,

Maria Davila
Student.