UFCT Legislative Memo: Petition Against State Budget Cuts
Item
legislative memo
from
college teachers
February 27, 1969
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In a petition drive coordinated by the United Federation of
College Teachers, hundreds of City University instructional staff
members have affixed their signatures in a protest against the contem-
plated 5% across-the-board budget cut.
The petition which is addressed to Governor Rockefeller and the
legislators will be presented to the Governor as part of the Legisla-
tive Conference of the New York State AFL-CIO, by Dr. Israel Kugler,
President of the United Federation of College Teachers and the New York
State AFT College and University Council.
The petition makes three points:
1. It would cripple CUNY's program of SEEK and College Discovery
which would grant college access to students from poverty areas.
2. It would cut admissions by 20%--3500 high school seniors.
3. It perpetuates the discrimination against CUNY by maintaining
the disparity of State Aid of $2718 per student of the State University
as_against $738 per student of City University.
Dr. Kugler stated: "Official U.S. statistics from the Bureau
indicate that New York State ranks 25th in the nation in per capita
aid to higher education California, a comparable state in population
and income ranks 9th." Dr. Kugler further stated: "With some kind of
higher education becoming a universal necessity in today's complex society,
we cannot afford short-sighted cut-backs. Education assures social mobility
from poverty, crime and other anti-social phenomena which are more costly."
The UFCT is supporting legislation on the following:
roy
.
More rapid construction of badly needed community colleges under
Dormitory Authority
State Aid for City University equal to State University
Availability of Personnel files
Salary Parity between CUNY Community Community Colleges and Senior
Colleges
Open meetings of Board of Higher Education
Professional vacations for CUNY Librarians
Faculty status for College Physicians
sow Fwnrn
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dr. Israel Kugler
(212) 673-6310
united federation of college teachers
260 Park
local 1460, AFT ark Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10010 / 673-6310
from
college teachers
February 27, 1969
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In a petition drive coordinated by the United Federation of
College Teachers, hundreds of City University instructional staff
members have affixed their signatures in a protest against the contem-
plated 5% across-the-board budget cut.
The petition which is addressed to Governor Rockefeller and the
legislators will be presented to the Governor as part of the Legisla-
tive Conference of the New York State AFL-CIO, by Dr. Israel Kugler,
President of the United Federation of College Teachers and the New York
State AFT College and University Council.
The petition makes three points:
1. It would cripple CUNY's program of SEEK and College Discovery
which would grant college access to students from poverty areas.
2. It would cut admissions by 20%--3500 high school seniors.
3. It perpetuates the discrimination against CUNY by maintaining
the disparity of State Aid of $2718 per student of the State University
as_against $738 per student of City University.
Dr. Kugler stated: "Official U.S. statistics from the Bureau
indicate that New York State ranks 25th in the nation in per capita
aid to higher education California, a comparable state in population
and income ranks 9th." Dr. Kugler further stated: "With some kind of
higher education becoming a universal necessity in today's complex society,
we cannot afford short-sighted cut-backs. Education assures social mobility
from poverty, crime and other anti-social phenomena which are more costly."
The UFCT is supporting legislation on the following:
roy
.
More rapid construction of badly needed community colleges under
Dormitory Authority
State Aid for City University equal to State University
Availability of Personnel files
Salary Parity between CUNY Community Community Colleges and Senior
Colleges
Open meetings of Board of Higher Education
Professional vacations for CUNY Librarians
Faculty status for College Physicians
sow Fwnrn
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dr. Israel Kugler
(212) 673-6310
united federation of college teachers
260 Park
local 1460, AFT ark Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10010 / 673-6310
Title
UFCT Legislative Memo: Petition Against State Budget Cuts
Description
This memo was issued to the members of the United Federation of College Teachers (UFCT) on behalf of union president Israel Kugler. It announces a petition drive against proposed budget cuts at CUNY. The document illustrates that even in times of relative calm, funding for CUNY was targeted by the New York State legislature and Governor Rockefeller. Among the petition demands was an equal funding formula to eliminate the disparity in financial support provided by the state to the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York. Although New York State did agree to full funding for CUNY's four-year colleges beginning in 1979, equal funding for SUNY and CUNY did not materialize.
Contributor
Professional Staff Congress
Creator
United Federation of College Teachers
Date
February 27, 1969
Language
English
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Original Format
Memorandum
United Federation of College Teachers. Letter. “UFCT Legislative Memo: Petition Against State Budget Cuts.”, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/458