Group Protests Outside Cuomo's Office Over CUNY Funding
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Protesters rallied Thursday outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Midtown East office, demanding adequate funding for the City University of New York.
Hundreds of professors, students and supporters rallied outside Cuomo's office at 633 Third Ave., demanding adequate funding for the university system and improvements for faculty.
The group formed a human chain in front of the building as they shouted chants and held signs. They also staged a die-in at the building, and several arrests were made.
A representative of Cuomo's office told CBS2 that CUNY will receive its full $1.6 billion in funding this year, and urged the union to resolve its contract negotiations with the school.
The governor's office also accused the faculty union and its advocacy groups of "knowingly misleading their members and the public to score cheap political points."
"The fact that these groups are ignoring reality is alarming, irresponsible, and a flagrant disregard for the students they claim to advocate for," Cuomo's office said. "Rather than using unfounded and untruthful scare tactics to lie to the public, they should support the Governor's fight to direct more funding to students instead of administrative costs."
Lawmakers hope to pass the state budget, which includes CUNY funding, by the start of the fiscal year on April 1.
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