By Solé Scott
Editor-in-Chief
By Jay’Mi Vazquez
Managing Editor
Student Government Association President, Riyanna Singleton, in the legislative office building in Hartford Connecticut, on Feb. 19, speaking before the Appropriations Committee about the Governor’s budget.
Connecticut State Universities, CSU’s, faculty members are raising alarm over proposed budget cuts and their potential impact on students and faculty.
On Feb. 19, the CSU-AAUP, CSU students and CSU faculty demanded funding in the legislative office building in Hartford Connecticut.
“Governor Lamont seems to be trying to shrink the system, but we can’t quite figure out why, especially when all the data shows that the CSU and community colleges are economic drivers in Connecticut,” Vice President of the CSU-AAUP and Department Chair of English at the university, Cynthia Stretch said.
Stretch expressed frustration at the ongoing need to defend the value of state universities year after year.
Stretch criticized Gov. Lamont’s budget proposal, noting that the allocation for fiscal year 2025 fell short by approximately $140 million, compared to what is needed to maintain current services.
“We need at least $630 million to maintain services,” she said. “The Governor allocated $471.8 million, which is a significant shortfall.”
In response to these financial constraints, Stretch highlighted the ongoing efforts by CSU’s faculty to secure additional funding.
“We’re asking for a real investment in state universities, specifically through expanding the PACT program,” Stretch said. “This would make higher education more accessible to thousands of students, particularly those from families who can’t afford to take on debt.”
The PACT program, recently renamed the Mary Ann Handley Award, currently provides debt-free tuition for community college students.
Faculty members are pushing for its expansion to include CSU students.
“This is a game-changer,” Stretch said. “It would give students the opportunity to attend university without the crippling burden of debt. It’s not free, but it’s an investment in students, not bureaucratic systems.”
CSU student testimony included the Student Government Association, SGA, President Riyanna Singleton, who spoke before the Appropriations Committee.
“We are tired of being underestimated. We are tired of being underfunded. Southern students are the future of this state, and we need you to invest in us,” Singleton said.
Singleton spoke on behalf of all students who could not attend the protest.
“Believe our presence made a difference. While these decisions are difficult, hearing real stories from real students adds humanity to the issue. Writing letters and calling the Capitol are effective, but it’s much harder to ignore people speaking directly to you in person,” Singleton said.
This is not the first time students have had to travel to the Capitol to protest budget cuts and tuition hikes.
“The students make powerful cases for the positive role a university education plays in their lives and the negative impacts of budget cuts over the years,” Stretch said.
Stretch also expressed disappointment in the ongoing financial struggles faced by public higher education along with being exacerbated by threats of reduced funding from the federal government.
“We’re fighting for state funding while being pummeled with executive orders and federal cuts,” Stretch said. “It feels like we’re being kicked while we’re down.”
As the budget discussions continue, faculty, students and alumni of the CSU system remain united in their call for a more stable, predictable funding.
Subsequently this can ensure the sustainability and growth of higher education in Connecticut.
