NYPIRG urges funding restoration at SGA meeting
Representatives from the New York Public Interest Research Group urged members of SGA to reinstate the group’s fall 2026 funding, which was denied during advanced allocations. Charlie Hynes | Staff Photographer
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Representatives from the New York Public Interest Research Group argued to reinstate their annual funding from Syracuse University’s Student Government Association at the assembly’s regular Monday meeting.
NYPIRG’s Syracuse and SUNY ESF chapter, a former registered student organization, had its fall 2026 funding cut to $0 during SGA’s advanced allocations process. NYPIRG entered the appeals process, where the finance board will re-evaluate its decision.
Eleven representatives of NYPIRG took the floor before the assembly’s regular business to argue for why they should be funded again.
“We exist for the purpose of bettering our community,” said ESF sophomore and NYPIRG member Nataile Cox.
Cox also said the student body at SU and ESF supports NYPIRG, noting the organization has not lost its SGA-election time campus referendum, which approves allocation of funds to NYPIRG, since its inception. NYPIRG was not able to hold a referendum in this year’s SGA election due to time constraints, said Azaria Chapman Walker, the project coordinator for NYPIRG.
The assembly pushed back, with incoming Executive Vice President Max Lachut arguing that SU and ESF’s chapter of NYPIRG, a national organization, receives more money than “every single advocacy group on campus” but “does less” than on-campus organizations.
“You guys received $95,000,” Lachut said. “And with engagement that is not equal to the organizations on campus, and we’ve seen less engagement than in the past.”
Walker said NYPIRG would be willing to address any SGA concerns, but still defended the need for their annual funding.
NYPIRG uses the funding for paying rent and stipends to members, having a full-time advisor and contributing to projects that focus on issues such as climate change and food deserts, Walker said.
“It’s a fact that allows us to have a full-time person coordinating things that makes us far more professional and far more connected to the greater organization,” Walker said.
President-Elect Emily Castillo and current President German Nolivos proposed NYPIRG could become an RSO with an on-campus base and a student e-board. Nolivos said the move would allow SGA to treat all campus advocacy groups equally.
The NYPIRG representatives said they don’t want to re-register as an RSO because they fear being knocked down to a lower tier and having access to fewer resources and less space than they do now.
“It would be difficult for us to access the materials and resources we need, whether it’s for tabling or whether it’s for something that we use at Albany,” Walker said.
SGA’s finance board will look at NYPIRG’s appeal later this month and decide on their funding for next year.
Other business:
- The assembly discussed stipends for the next academic year. Nolivos said the stipend amount remained consistent over the past five years, and that University Union and Greek life will be able to request stipends.
- The assembly passed two bills, including a resolution appropriating $219 for “Holi Day” in conjunction with ESF and passed their new bylaws for the next session of the SGA.
- Chancellor Kent Syverud, who was scheduled to speak to the assembly, was unable to attend the meeting due to an illness, Castillo said.
