Take Action

Your support will be vital in ensuring The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act - SUNY's number one legislative priority for 2010 - becomes law. Below are several ways in which you can help.

First, take a closer look at What's in the Bill and read about how the bill is Good for New York; Good for Students & Families; Good for the Workforce; and Good for Community Colleges.

How Can You Help?

Become a SUNY Advocate
SUNY Advocates is a network of students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends and supporters of SUNY committed to building public support for a strong investment in SUNY’s 64 campuses. Become an advocate now.

Recruit three people to become SUNY Advocates
The more supporters we have, the stronger our voice will be at the Capitol. Spread the word here.

Talk with friends and family
Help spread the word about how the State University of New York is an important state
investment. By talking with people you know, you can help build public support and educate our community about the value of public higher education.

Call your legislators
A phone call is a great way to reach a legislator quickly, and it allows you to develop a personal connection. It is not always possible to meet with a legislator in a face-to-face setting, and a phone call is still great way to make an important contact. If the legislator is not available, ask the staff member to take a message and voice your support. Find your elected representative's phone number here.

Write a personal letter
Personal letters can have a strong impact with legislators. In this day and age, legislators receive hundreds of generic letters from constituents. A personal handwritten letter can get noticed because legislators receive so few of them. Use our sample letter to legislators to craft your own personal letter. Click here for talking points to use in your letter.

Write a letter to the editor
A letter to the editor is a great way to educate people about the importance of SUNY. Click here for talking points to use in your letter. Click here for talking points to use in your letter.

Send an Email to Your Legislators
Send your State legislators an email and urge them to show their support for SUNY by implementing The Public Higher Education and Empowerment Act. A sample letter is below. Find your legislator's email address here.

Dear Legislator:

In these difficult economic times we must build on our state's most valuable assets to create a better future for New York. This is why I believe it is more important than ever to implement The Public Higher Education and Innovation Act.

The Public Higher Education and Innovation Act is a comprehensive package of initiatives that will strengthen our state's system of public higher education while helping to drive the economic recovery.

The Public Higher Education and Innovation Act is a budget neutral plan that will help fuel an economic resurgence in New York State. It will achieve this by allowing differential tuition, moving self generated revenues outside of the budget process and implement a comprehensive set of reforms.

Most importantly, the innovation and empowerment proposal provides students and their families with the ability to budget and plan for their investment while increasing excellence and maintaining access.

I urge you to support SUNY-one of our state's great assets and work to implement The Public Higher Education and Innovation Act.