Earlier this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed executive budget included shifting nearly $500 million for CUNY from the state to the city. While the lawmakers in Albany must decide on a new budget later this year, New York City did not account for the change in the proposed budget. In fact, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was informed about the change the night before Governor Cuomo unveiled his budget. Cuomo and de Blasio are often seen as rivals despite being Democrats. The two disagree about issues like housing, funding for city programs and other policies. CUNY is now a major issue between the city and state…
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Students lobby for affordable education
On Feb. 26, a score of college students from all over New York gathered in Albany to fight for affordable higher education on Higher Education Action Day. Higher Education Action Day is an event going on in New York for years. The New York Public Interest Research Group, the largest student-directed research and advocacy organization in the state, and the University Student Senate, which includes students from all CUNY governments, among other organizations sponsored the event. During Higher Education Action Day, students come from all over the state to Albany and present their cases for affordable education. The lobbying takes place at a crucial time, only days before the State’s…
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Participatory budgeting begins at Queens College
Participatory budgeting first began in 1989 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Citizens voted on projects proposed by other residents. Projects with the most votes received funding. Since then, the practice was exported across the world from Spain to the United States. Starting this semester, participatory budgeting will begin at Queens College after students requested it. Participatory budgeting is democratic as a community creates ideas as projects. It chooses popular ideas and enacts it with available resources. Melissa Appleton, project manager at the Participatory Budgeting Project, said the organization she is with would help the process if any questions come up. “Participatory Budgeting Process is pleased to provide technical assistance to Participatory…
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The journey continues through discovery and art
The exhibit “Journey, Continued” is a reflection of the different stages of artist Jian Guo Zhang’s life and his personal matter of feeling displaced and insecure during his transition. Located at Klapper Hall’s art gallery on the fourth floor, his journey is composed of three stages: 1979 to 1997, 18 years ago before he came to the United States, 1997 to 2015, his time in America, and 2016 to his future endeavors. The opening reception took place Feb. 25, where Zhang went into depth on his artwork. The exhibition will be on display until Mar. 4. Having spent years of experimentation and dedication, Zhang’s exploration of the realm of realism…
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Author talks about stories and religion
Geraldine Brooks read from “The Secret Chord,” her latest novel, and answered questions about it at the last Evening Readings series. The event was held at LeFrak Concert Hall on Feb. 16. It was heavily attended with people like Queens College President Felix Matos Rodriguez in the audience. Brooks is the author of four novels including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “March” and “Caleb’s Crossing.” She’s also written non-fiction books like “Foreign Correspondence” and “Nine Parts of Desire.” But Brooks is not just an award-winning author, she is also a journalist. She worked for The Wall Street Journal covering the Middle East, including the 1990-91 Gulf War. “The Secret Chord,” released in…
