Undergraduate Student Government Reps Advocate for Baruch at Caucus Weekend in Albany
Baruch Students Trek to State Capitol to Meet with Elected Officials, Highlight Need for Additional State Resources During Budget SeasonFebruary 28, 2023
Representatives from Baruch's Undergraduate Student Government recently traveled to Albany to meet with elected officials and put a spotlight on the needs of the Baruch College community.
On February 17-20, over a dozen Baruch USG student-advocates traveled to Albany, NY to take part in the 52nd Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators (NYSABPRHAL) Conference, more commonly known as Caucus Weekend.
While in Albany, the students met with legislators and their staffs to discuss the issues that impact the Baruch community.
One priority was highlighting the need for increased operational and capital State funding for Baruch and The City University of New York (CUNY), the desire for additional student space at Baruch, and the restoration of food access and mental health funding that was cut from last year’s budget.
“When students share their lived experiences, they are able to not only change hearts and minds but also push for policy solutions,” said Ashley Chen ’23, a senior double major in political science and sociology and vice president of legislative affairs for the Baruch Undergraduate Student Government. “Young people’s voices have and should be at the forefront of conversations.”
The conference also featured insightful workshops that discussed issues impacting communities of color across the state. These workshops align with the host organization’s mission: engaging New York State residents in dialogue about issues and policies that are having an impact on their communities – while empowering people with the information and tools they need to deliver positive outcomes.
Participating students also connected with a fellow Bearcat, Assembly Member Steven Raga (MPA ’16) while in the State Capitol. During their conversation, Raga reminisced about his time at Baruch and expressed his appreciation for the top-notch education he received while earning his MPA at the Marxe School of International and Public Affairs.
“Advocacy has been a means to ensure that my peers and communities get the resources they deserve,” said Chen. “Caucus Weekend offered us an opportunity to meet with legislators like Assemblyman Raga, staff and other stakeholders, both formally and informally, to speak truth about what matters to Baruch students and advocate for the positive change we seek in our lives.”
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