Long Island University Participates in Independent Sector Student
Lobby Day

In the second month of the 2009 legislative session, this is a crucial time for student aid programs. On February 10, 2009, more than 155 students from the C.W. Post and Brooklyn Campuses of Long Island University attended a rally in Albany to encourage government support for student aid programs.

The C.W. Post students were accompanied by William Clyde, director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), to Albany in a bus filled with students from several local colleges. The trip was organized by the New York Student Aid Alliance and the Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The students attended an eventful morning of seminars discussing topics such as “How to advocate for student aid programs,” and “Budget overview and review of state legislative priorities.” In the afternoon, the students attended legislative appointments at Albany’s Legislative Office Building with Assemblyman Rob Walker (C.W. Post ’92), Assemblyman Lou Tobacco, Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (who is an alumnus of C.W. Post), Senator Carl Marcellino, and Senator Diane Savino, as well as with legislative staffers and higher education policy experts.

“Our students were among the most articulate and effective advocates among the 83 colleges and over 1,000 New York students who visited the State Capitol,” said Christopher Williams, Long Island University Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy. “They shared their personal stories with our elected representatives and highlighted the need to continue to provide critical student financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) in New York.”

The students also had the opportunity to gather with other students to voice their opinions in a “Speak-Out” and rally.

Posted: February 17, 2009