(l to r) Sam Herberger, Ben Macaluso, Senator Patrick Gallivan ’82, Ean Tierney, Kelly Mahoney.
On February 7, 15 Canisius students traveled to Albany to make their case for continued state financial assistance. The students directly informed members of the New York State Legislature about the importance of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Higher Education Opportunity Grants, and other scholarships provided by the state. Nearly half of all Canisius undergraduates receive TAP awards. Governor Cuomo’s proposed 2012-2013 state budget maintained student financial assistance at last year’s level.
Student Advocacy Day, a long-running undergraduate activity, is sponsored by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities and included participation this year by more than 60 schools from throughout the state. The students arrange their own legislative meetings under the guidance of the Undergraduate Student Association and Ken Kruly, director of government relations.
During this year’s visit, Canisius students met with Canisius alums Assemblyman Robin Schimminger ’69, HON ’07, Senators Pat Gallivan ’82, and Mark Grisanti ’88, as well as members of the Assembly John Ceretto, Jane Corwin, Kevin Smardz, Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Raymond Walter; and Senators George Maziarz and Michael Ranzenhofer.
Several members of the student Albany delegation will meet with the college’s Government Relations Advisory Board at its meeting on February 24 to discuss their impressions of the lobbying experience.
Submitted by: Ken Kruly, director, government relations
