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As of early April, Syracuse University’s Student Government Association cut New York Public Interest Research Group’s $95,000 in funding to $0 without prior notice. Alongside the cut, our contract was terminated, effective July 2026.

As a student board member representing the SU chapter, and as a member of SGA, I believe it’s imperative to advocate for restoring NYPIRG’s funding and contract.

NYPIRG was founded in 1973, when SU, Queens and Buffalo students collaborated to develop a statewide organization directed by students. The group hired staff such as organizers, researchers and lawyers to train students how to effectively advocate for change. Currently, NYPIRG has 14 chapters across New York state, many of them at State University of New York and City University of New York institutions.

By cutting NYPIRG’s funding, SU and the broader community will lose an organization that has shown great impact.

Last year, I participated in NYPIRG’s hunger and homelessness campaign, distributing bags to collect food and supplies for Syracuse residents experiencing homelessness. We used our office on Marshall Street to count and sort donations, which would’ve been a difficult task without a dedicated space. As a result of our efforts, we raised 2,116 donations, which were provided to the Interreligious Food Consortium and the Syracuse Rescue Mission.

Through our involvement in the community, I’ve become more aware of poverty in Syracuse. As a freshman new to the city, it was important to understand the reality of my new home. In return, I gained a level of awareness I may not have otherwise developed.

We also rallied for the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to support affordable heat for New York residents. Our efforts to prioritize New Yorkers didn’t go unnoticed. Our lobbying at the New York State Capitol, calls to elected officials and hundreds of postcards successfully led to Hochul signing a repeal of the 100-foot rule — legislation that would’ve required some New Yorkers to pay for gas pipes.

Our current campaign focuses on collecting menstrual products and hygiene items for the Coach Mac Food Pantry in Hendricks Chapel and Vera House. In collaboration with SU Next Gen Leadership Corps, we’ve collected 2,721 items since launching the drive in early April.

Despite our efforts, NYPIRG was also informed it would no longer be considered as a registered student organization due to its student leadership model. Without allowing us to restructure, we were locked out of our ‘Cuse Activities page. We could no longer book tables, reserve rooms or promote events. Our organization no longer appeared in searches.

Having completed RSO training as vice president of another organization, I spoke with an advisor to clarify the situation. I was told that NYPIRG is now under the SGA and must use its ‘Cuse Activities system to book resources. NYPIRG wasn’t informed of this change beforehand. If I hadn’t scheduled this meeting and reached out independently, NYPIRG wouldn’t have been informed of this drastic change.

Though we’ve been encouraged to reregister, NYPIRG would be at risk of being knocked down to a lower tier and having access to fewer resources and less space.

Interns rely on our office to complete their assignments. Imagine working for a company, only to have limited access to a proper work environment. The same would apply to our interns, who would no longer have a dedicated space to complete their work. From my experience in both lower and higher-resourced organizations, lower-tier organizations face significant limitations — limitations that NYPIRG wouldn’t have to face if its funding were maintained.

NYPIRG is here for a reason. Every four years, the organization holds a referendum to determine whether the student body wants it on campus, and each time the results show a definitive yes. In just one week, we’ve collected over 2,000 signatures demonstrating campus support.

By gutting NYPIRG, SGA would remove an organization that SU students have supported for 53 years. Its funding, which has also received support in the referendum, comes from the student activity fee. As a result, students would pay $6 to keep our NYPIRG chapter in operation. To put it in perspective, $6 is cheaper than a Chipotle bowl on Marshall Street.

Whenever I discuss the threat of NYPIRG losing a project coordinator, student board of directors, and office, I’m often told, “I respect the work NYPIRG does.” If that’s true, it should be reflected in support for restoring NYPIRG’s funding and contract. Thankfully, we’re currently going through the appeals process. Meaning, it’s more important than ever to speak out and take action to reverse their decision.

Derry Oliver is a sophomore majoring in policy studies and law, society and policy with a minor in African American studies. She can be reached at djoliver@syr.edu.

Published on April 15, 2026 at 10:25 pm