Budget pressures in Washington - brought on by the cost of responding to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the cost of military operations in Iraq and elsewhere, and loss of revenue from tax cuts - have led lawmakers in Congress to look at substantial cuts in student aid as part of an effort to reduce federal spending. In response, national higher education organizations are declaring Wednesday, October 19 and Wednesday, October 26 as “National Call-In Days” for college and university students to call their Congressional representatives and protest the threat to much-needed student aid.
NYU will establish a phone bank at 7 East 12th Street, 9th Floor from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. on October 19th and in Room 406 in Kimmel on October 26th to permit students to call Congressional and Senate offices at no cost. Information will be on-hand to help students in placing the calls.
Alicia Hurley, director of NYU’s Office of Federal Policy and acting director of the Office of Government and Community Relations, said, “The most unwise savings come at the expense of young people’s access to education. Whatever the budget difficulties facing Washington, a college education is an almost universal aspiration in our country, and any actions that make it more difficult for families to send their sons and daughters to college will have long-term costs that will far outweigh any short-term benefits.
“Congress will listen if students make the call. It doesn’t take long. I urge students to call from their cell phones or come by the phone bank and make their voice heard.”
More information on the threat to student aid can be found at www.studentaidalliance.org.