USA Students Lobby for State Aid

Ken Kruly, director of government relations (second from left) prepares to depart for Albany with a contingent of students from the Canisius Undergraduate Student Association.

Ken Kruly, director of government relations, and a group of 16 students from the Undergraduate Student Association (USA) traveled to Albany on February 9 to lobby state legislators for aid to private college’s and universities.

Under Governor Pataki’s proposed 2004-2005 budget, TAP will be cut by one-third. This would translate into students at Canisius losing approximately $1.3 million in aid.  Once again, the Commission on Independent College’s and Universities is conducting an E-advocacy effort to protest the proposed cuts.  To write to your state representatives to help preserve TAP assistance, click here.

The good news is that the governor’s budget includes funding for capital projects at private colleges.  While in Albany, Kruly and the students also lobbyied for the capital funding. For more information on Governor Pataki’s proposed budget and its affect on student aid, click here for the Government Relations newsletter.

By Bike, Subway or On Foot - Canisius Employees Find Innovative Ways to Get to Work
Whether their motivation is exercise, fresh air or avoiding traffic hassles, a growing number of Canisius employees are leaving their cars at home finding alternative ways of getting to work – such as walking, biking or taking the subway.

Among them is Estelle Siener, computer support specialist for ITS, who walks two miles from Middlesex Road and Elmwood Avenue. Her route, which goes through Delaware Park, takes about 30 minutes.

“I feel like I’m walking through a real neighborhood, being able to see so many people that I know,” says Siener, “I think Canisius has had an amazing impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the college.”

Colleen O’Hara, secretary for biology, walks to Canisius from her home on Woodward Avenue to the Health Science Building.

“I really like avoiding all the Main Street traffic,” says O’Hara, “plus it’s actually faster for me to walk (12 minutes) than to drive (15-20 minutes).”

For those who live in the Parkside area, their daily treks have become a welcome opportunity to greet familiar Canisius faces from their neighborhood. O’Hara often sees Dr. Paul Dowling, professor of English; Dr. Mary O’Sullivan, associate professor of chemistry; and Dr. Michael Forest, assistant professor of philosophy. During the winter, Forest can be seen pulling his son on a sled to school at Mount St. Joseph’s. He says his motivation for walking to work is partially economic.

“This way we can own just one car in the family,” says Forest, “And I never have to purchase a parking permit.”

Dr. Joel Cohen, associate vice president for ITS, travels a much longer distance. He walks or bikes from Kenmore, even in the winter! (In really bad weather, he’ll take the bus). Cohen says that for him, taking side roads is key to a quick and safe journey.

“I never take Delaware Avenue or Colvin. They aren’t real conducive to bicycling,” says Cohen. He adds that keeping a good supply of sport coats and other work attire in his office is a necessity.

Many faculty members of the Department of Mathematics walk, bike or combine walking with public transport, including Karl Schroeder, assistant professor of mathematics, who has walked or biked five miles each way since 1966; Dr. Terry Bisson, professor of mathematics, who bikes in from North Buffalo; and Dr. Christine Kinsey, chair of mathematics, who rides the subway.  Dr. Richard Escobales, professor of mathematics, drives but routinely offers rides to those who take public transport. Why do so many math professors walk or bike to work? 

“Maybe it’s because walking or taking public transport gives you more time to think than driving,” says Bisson. “And mathematicians like to have time to think.”

Dr. Robert Butler, professor of English and director of the All-College Honors program can often be seen riding his bike in from Kenmore. And, there are likely others here at Canisius, who for whatever reason, opt to use alternative means of getting to work. As the weather improves, you’ll likely see those numbers growing.