by Stefanie Sciolaro

OSWEGO, NY- – On April 8th, Governor Cuomo announced that all public 2 and 4 year universities in the state of New York will offer a tuition free scholarship. The Excelsior Scholarship will allow middle class families, who qualify, to be exempt from paying for college tuition.

In order to qualify, a family’s adjusted gross income must be under $100,000 in 2017. By 2018 that number will go up to $110,000, and by 2019 the amount will increase to $125,000. These incomes will include all student, parent, or spouse incomes within the family.

Students must be enrolled full-time, already have 30 college credits, and continue to complete 30 credits per year, which includes summer sessions, while in college. Transfer students will be eligible if they, or once, they’ve met the 30 credit requirement. If the student loses the scholarship, for now, they will be unable to regain it, though there is an appeal process being put in place.

Once students who are receiving the scholarship graduate, they will be required to stay New York residents for the same amount of time they had received the scholarship in college. Christopher Britts, an education major at SUNY Oswego, is apprehensive of where the state’s getting the money to fund this and what the resident restriction entitles.

“Are my taxes or other college expenses going to go up?… Will they decrease the PELL or TAP grants we get? Because if so and I don’t qualify where does that leave me?… What if I get a job in Cali or Jersey, I have to say no? If so, I’d rather have the loans, then at least I’m free.” says Christopher.

Graduate students are not eligible for the scholarship, nor are students who have already completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second.

Families will still be responsible for other expenses such as room and board, meal plans, and books, but the hope is for the Excelsior Scholarship to help relieve some of the burdens that families face in trying to pay for student’s college education. Financial aid will not be effected if a student receives the scholarship.

Christopher is also a team leader for Mentor Scholar, an after school program helping children with homework, and says this scholarship is good for younger children as well.

“Yes the scholarship needs adjustments and clarification but it really does give them a future to look forward to. Many of these kids come from low income families who before now, college was probably never an option…well now it is. As a future educator and current college student thats a beautiful thing to see.” Chris said.

This scholarship will go into effect and be available to students for the Fall 2017 semester. For more on the Excelsior Scholarship visit http://www.ny.gov, for SUNY (State University of New York) information visit https://www.suny.edu, and for CUNY (City University of New York) information visit http://www2.cuny.edu.

The Student Association held their eleventh meeting of the Senate for the semester on Tuesday evening, The meeting got off to an exciting start when SA President, Emily Nassir, was officially sworn in as the President of the Student Association for the 2016-2017 year. Following the swearing in of the new president, roll call was taken which indicated quorum was met. The meeting minutes and agenda were then approved which allowed the meeting to officially begin.

The first and only guest to the Senate for the evening was President of SUNY Oswego, Deborah Stanley. Stanley tries to attend at least one Senate meeting per semester to discuss with students the new things happening on our campus. At this meeting, President Stanley took the time to inform the Senate of the student demographics on campus, budget updates, and some of SUNY Oswego’s policies. SUNY Oswego students both undergraduate and graduate, come from all over New York state and beyond. SUNY Oswego has spent more time and resources recently, to recruit more students from downstate, which President Stanley feels they have been very successful in doing so. This past year’s group of first year students totaled to 1,500. Of those students, 30.5 percent of them identified as being culturally diverse. Stanley mentioned this to the Senate because she feels it is a very important part of our campus’s atmosphere. The number of students who identify as being  culturally diverse, has increased in the past few years, but Stanley wants and expects that number to grow. In fact,  in the group of 2016 first year students, 49.5 percent of students have identified as being culturally diverse. These statistics Stanley said, have not been and are not discussed much with students, but she feels students should be aware of these important facts that impact the dynamic of our campus. President Stanley also revealed some measure SUNY Oswego is taking to help better represent the diverse population of students on campus. Stanley is currently looking for a Chief Diversity/Inclusion Officer, who will make sure that all voices on campus are heard and that all students are represented. Students also expressed their concerns on increasing the diversity amongst the staff and faculty at SUNY Oswego and President Stanley said these concerns have been and are being  addressed as the search for new faculty is underway. The President also mentioned the college wide commitment SUNY Oswego has taken to improve student success. Student surveys have indicated that students feel the college could improve on advisement for students. Stanley has been and will continue to review academic advisement planning for students to help provide them with all the tools and resources they need to ensure their success as students here at SUNY Oswego. Closing her presentation, Stanley mentioned some changes that are beginning to happen on campus. Tyler Hall will finally be reopening in the fall and renovations are expected to come to an end soon. Scales Hall is the next renovation taking place on campus which will be completed by August 2017.  

Public comment was next on the meeting agenda following the special guest to the Senate, President Deborah Stanley. Senators were reminded that Miss-A-Meal is taking place tomorrow, Thursday April 14th. Students are encouraged to give up their meal at dinner time and doing so will help fund the SUNY Oswego food pantry that will soon be located on campus.

Emily Nassir, SA President was the first to deliver her executive report for the evening. Nassir announced that Director Position applications have been reopened and will stay open until April 15th. Nassir will be traveling to Syracuse to advertise OzFest on the radio station “Hot 107.9”. Nassir also reminded senator to encourage their peers and friends to purchase OzFest tickets, seeing as they are only $15 per student. Nassir stated that instead of focusing on the lineup/performer, students should see it as an opportunity to spend time with their friends for one of the last times before finals week begins and before going separate ways as summer vacation begins.

Director of Finance Matthew Peters, delivered the final executive report for the evening, Peters discussed the sales of OzFest tickets and his concern on the current number of tickets sold. He made it a major point that more tickets need to be sold in order for this to be not only a successful event, but also a financial success. Peters also mentioned his new project which is working on training sessions for the executive positions that are held in the various clubs and organizations on campus. Training sessions will be held and the executives from similar clubs such as sports and academics will meet separately and will be given training so they are prepared for the 2016-2017 year.

Following executive reports, the meeting moved swiftly to Committee Reports. Rules and Judiciary stated that folders containing records and guidance for senators and clubs are being designed. Involvement Committee revealed that the Student Assocation comment cards have been printed. They will available to students at the Welcome Desk in Marano and students can find the cards with responses posted outside the Point.

Senator Research Forum was next on the agenda. The Senate is looking to create a position for an Organization Liaison. One or two people would be available for student leaders of organizations and clubs, to talk to and seek advice from in many areas such as forming a proposal for a budget, how to request funding for their organization or what organizations can and cannot do in terms of funding events. The Liaison would be the point person for all things organizations.

The meeting came to an end following Senator Research Forum seeing as there were no general or special orders on the agenda for the evening. The Student Association holds their weekly meeting of the Senate Tuesdays in Lanigan 106 and 6pm. All meeting are open to the public and students are encouraged to attend to express any concerns or opinions they may have.