By Eileen Buckley & Tim Nabzdyk
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-988930.mp3
Amherst, NY – Students held protests on SUNY and CUNY campuses Wednesday. They protested the state's cut to the SUNY/CUNY budget by over $300 million and the five-year automatic annual tuition hike as well as the cut to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) by $31 million.
Students were mobilized by the New York Students Rising (NYSR). Students say they are dealing with "crushing student debt and rising unemployment." Students orchestrated a state-wide student walk-out.
Here in Western New York, students walked out at the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst during the noon hour. That protest was coordinated by the Defend Our Education Coalition, an organization of graduate and undergraduate student groups, faculty groups, staff groups, and community groups.
Some carried signs that stated "Chop from the Top".
"We believe that education is a human right and we share the responsibility to ensure that all people have access to it."
UB students say recent major actions by the UB administration that included the push to pass the UB2020 plan, the search for a new University President, and a change in financial aid policy left students waiting a month longer to receive their funding.
WBFO's Webmaster Tim Nabzdyk captured protestors chanting on the North Campus as well as photos of the protest.