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What happened? Today, one of the largest protests at SUNY(State University of NY) University at Buffalo occurred.
Who was there? NYS Governor George Pataki was invited to open our Center for Computational Research, at the behest of our UB President Griener. The administration tried to keep this under wraps from the student body, but unfortunately, word got out and a protest was formed(secretly, actually). Hundreds of students(and Professors!!) gathered and followed Pataki around the Center and shouted their cries of "Fix SUNY! Fight Pataki!" and other rallying chants.
Why did we protest? Pataki has been known for cutting the State school system, limiting state aid to many students. He also forced cuts in a budget that didn't even account for inflation or pay increases! President Greiner of UB was also being protested because of his funneling of money from the School of the Arts and Sciences to the football team(and the team is asking for MORE money so they can recruit more!).
Why is this important? First, it was one of the largest protests. UB has been known to be quite apathetic lately, but today... many many people got together to let our voice be heard! Apathy took a back seat. Second, this showed that Pataki and Greiner's policies weren't appreciated, and finally a large enough group came forward to let them know.
Today, I'm proud to be a UB student.
------------------ "I'm looking for someone to change my life. I'm looking for a miracle in my life. And if you could see, what its done to me... To lose the love I knew, could safely lead me to The land that I one knew... To learn as we grow old, the secrets of our souls." Question, The Moody Blues
I have said it before, and I say it again, Athletics has NO PLACE in ANY Academic institution.
NOR should any athletic team or stadium constructed FOR a team be paid for with tax dollars.
What, I wonder, did funding INCREASE for, if student and school funding has dropped? Any new stadiums being built up there?
------------------ 'In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to Liberty; he is always in allegiance to the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection of his own." ---- Thomas Jefferson
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I disagree... I think athletics play a good part at universities, but I OBJECT when they take precedence over ACADEMICS.
The reason Griener was funneling money into the football team was that we became Division 1-A, up with par with Notre Dame, UCLA, Duke, etc. BUT its my opinion(and many others) that we went to fast, and that we're not ready for Division 1-A...
But thanks to Griener and his 'vision', the money that the School of Arts and Sciences needs goes to a football team that can't win, much less compete at a level they're not suitable for.
Basically, tuition has gone up, student aide has gone down, and so-called mandatory student fees have gone up. I just might not be able to afford college next year...
------------------ "I'm looking for someone to change my life. I'm looking for a miracle in my life. And if you could see, what its done to me... To lose the love I knew, could safely lead me to The land that I one knew... To learn as we grow old, the secrets of our souls." Question, The Moody Blues
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Have you ever noticed that most people never realize that "athletic scholarship" is a contradiction of terms...?
------------------ "I think you people have proven something to the world: that a half a million kids can get together and have three days of fun and music� and have nothing but fun and music." -Max Yasgur; Woodstock, NY; August, 1969
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