Nearly 100 SUNY students from across the state recently gathered at the New York State Capitol in Albany to advocate for the SUNY Student Assembly’s (SUNY SA) Students’ Agenda. Student leaders engaged with 88 state legislators, discussing enhancements to FAFSA, expansion of Educational Opportunity Programs across all 64 SUNY campuses, and the introduction of SUNY-wide universal emergency contraception legislation.
Leading up to Advocacy Day, students participated in various training sessions, honing their public speaking skills to effectively voice their concerns and ideas to legislators. Executive Director of Policy and Government Relations Luca Rallis attributed the success of the preparation efforts to “the dedication and enthusiasm of our student advocates, who tirelessly champion the causes that matter most to SUNY students.”
The event was introduced on the Assembly floor by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (AD-4) and Executive Director Rallis. A press conference followed, where SUNY SA President and SUNY Trustee Giovanni Harvey introduced SUNY SA’s initiatives, followed by remarks from Senators Lea Webb (SD-52) and Toby Ann Stavisky (SD-11).
President Harvey expressed his gratitude for SUNY students’ joint efforts, stating that “Advocacy Day is a powerful reminder that SUNY students are the future of New York. The Students’ Agenda highlights the critical need for the state to continue investing in SUNY, ensuring that students have the resources to succeed in the classroom and beyond. These investments don’t just strengthen our campuses—they uplift communities, drive economic growth, and empower students to become the leaders and innovators who will shape the future of our state.”
Advocacy Day is a yearly initiative hosted by SUNY SA, working towards the core values of getting students involved and making their voices heard.
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