University administration should garner support to help pass NY DREAM Act

Everyone has a right to an education.

For this reason, the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act should become a law. To help this effort, university administration should put pressure on local senators to move the bill through the Senate and into law.

The NY DREAM Act is proposed legislation that would extend state financial support for higher education to undocumented students by allowing them access to aid and scholarships. If enacted, New York would become the fourth state to offer undocumented college students financial assistance.

Unfortunately, support for the bill is lacking in the Senate. SU students have started to push senators to support the bill, but the proposal remains stagnant. University officials should take it upon themselves to bolster support for the DREAM Act.
This could promote the progress that is necessary for this proposal to become a law.

Passing the NY DREAM Act would provide the financial assistance that could motivate undocumented students to attend college. Current in-state tuition rates are too high for undocumented students to attend a four-year institution. This limits their ability to achieve the higher education they might want.

Higher education is crucial to the future of this country. The NY DREAM Act would provide undocumented students with an affordable education. This will only support the economy, as an educated demographic of undocumented students will be able to contribute to the country’s workforce post graduation.

The one individual who could be influential on the matter is SU’s chancellor. Although Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s tenure is ending soon, Chancellor-designate Kent Syverud should take a clear stance on the NY DREAM Act.

Students should do their part and continue to garner support from politicians, but the voice of a university official would provide an authoritative perspective to propel the act to pass.

An official who leads a university that emphasizes diversity is the best way to attract attention toward the NY DREAM Act and its future.

And to achieve that future, there is no better place to start than at a university like SU.