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Students and advocates press council for free transit pilot and expanded CUNY basic-needs supports
Summary
Students, union leaders and advocates urged the Council to fund a $700,000 OmniCard pilot and to baseline support for programs addressing food insecurity, housing instability, child care and mental health during a CUNY FY27 budget hearing.
Student leaders, unions and service providers used public testimony at the City Council hearing to press for immediate, practical measures to reduce barriers to attendance and degree completion at the City University of New York.
One central ask was a $700,000 pilot to provide free OmniCards to CUNY students. Student leaders described cases in which transit costs force learners to skip single classes or limit their campus participation.
"Transportation support increases persistence, improves graduation rates, and expands access to internships and career pathways," Akeem, chair of the University Student Senate, told the committee as he urged the council to back the transit pilot.
Other student and community testimony focused on basic needs and campus services: - Food and housing: CUNY reported 5% of students indicated housing…
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