To all members of UConn Nation:
My name is Irma Valverde and I am the Undergraduate Student Body President
at the Storrs campus. Last week as we were celebrating that the University
of Connecticut rose to become the 18th best public university in the
nation, our legislature voted to cut UConn’s funding by more than $300
million!
President Herbst mentioned in her statement earlier this week just a
partial list of what this destructive cut can do. UConn might be forced to
close UConn Health, regional campuses, and academic departments; it would
end degree programs; it would cut financial aid while increasing tuition
and fees; it would freeze all hiring; and it would cut Division I sports.
When I found this out I thought, “What can I do?” And I know you are all
wondering the same.
To the university community I ask all of you to speak up and act now. The
Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate Student Senate will be
hosting a #SAVEUCONN Rally:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 at the Hugh S. Greer Field House
from 6:30-7:30 PM.
We invite all UConn students, faculty and staff to be present and to show
state lawmakers that we care, we are here, and that we will be impacted by
this budget cut. Show your pride in our university by wearing your UConn
apparel. Spread the word and share the event on Facebook by clicking here
<https://www.facebook.com/events/1829862727030460/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22263%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D>
.
Connecticut residents please also reach out to your legislators.
Find your legislators by clicking here
<https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp>.
The links below show how members of the House and Senate voted on the
budget. If there is a “Y” next to the person’s name, they voted to cut
UConn by $300 million. If there is an “N” next to their name they voted
against cutting UConn.
Senate Vote:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/VOTE/s/2017SV-00466-R00HB07501-SV.htm
House Vote:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/VOTE/h/2017HV-00405-R00HB07501-HV.htm
For students, please mention the following:
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Why you decided to come to UConn.
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What set UConn apart from other universities for you.
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What is special to you about the UConn experience.
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What you want to do once you have earned your degree.
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How you would be affected if your financial aid was cut or
eliminated. What it would mean for you if you could not get into the
classes you needed. What it would mean if your major was cut.
What it would
mean if you could not graduate in four years. What it would
mean to you if
UConn slashed students services and programing.
We have one chance to show our state lawmakers that we will not be silent
when it comes to a budget that would destroy us. Every student should care
about this. This could bring down the value of your degree when you
graduate, make it unaffordable for you to continue your education, and
drive away excellent students away from the university and out of
Connecticut. Please contact your legislators, but most importantly take one
hour out of your week to come and and speak out on the proposed budget cuts
at the #SAVEUCONN Rally.
Sincerely,
Irma Valverde
Irma A. Valverde
Student Body President
Undergraduate Student Government
University of Connecticut
Student Union, 219
Tel: (860) 486-3807
Web: usg.uconn.edu
