As part of The Echo’s continuing coverage on the budget issues facing Western Connecticut State University and the Connecticut Colleges and State Universities system, reporters from the Echo in conjunction with our partners at the campus radio station WXCI 91.7 FM joined students, faculty, representatives from SGA, and administrators at the rally called by CSCU President Terrence Cheng.

Student media arrived ahead of the official WCSU shuttle bus, taking photographs of the Legislative Office Building as other CSCU students, faculty, particularly from the nearby Capitol Community College arrived and cleared security. Students from the Echo and WXCI quickly found each other.

Ahead of talking to lawmakers, President Beran gave words of thanks and encouragement to WCSU community members, and reiterated the importance of exemplifying leadership and decorum while representing the institution to members of government.

State Representative Aimee Berger-Gervalio (D-Ridgefield) spoke to students about the positive impact of WCSU, urging all students to remain engaged, and to reach out to her office, promising “we’ll help connect you to those that represent you, because it is so important that everybody hears from you.”

Berger-Gervalio relayed the story of a Ridgefield High graduate who, after feeling pressured to attend a different university, experienced severe burnout and returned home, unsure of her direction, before deciding with some trepidation to apply to WCSU.

“Her application took moments, she was accepted almost immediately, and she is thriving and getting ready to graduate. She’s already had three job interviews and ready for a career that she is super excited about and that wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t have access to the incredible faculty and staff at Westconn. So I’m here, I hear what she’s saying, and I hear what other students are saying, I hear what you guys are saying, and I promise you: I’m not gonna stop until we can make sure that you’re heard”

Representative Berger-Gervalio handed over to Representative Corey Paris (D-Stamford), a WCSU alumnus, who spoke about both the personal and policy aspects of funding the state university system, singling out the financial aid staff present.

“If it had not been for Melissa, I would not have eaten on campus my first two or three years because she handled my financial aid package. But I say that because what you see right now, being able to make a decision to help save our institution, to help provide the best education for each and every one of you, to help you all remain in the jobs, provide the direct services and the future that you’re given as faculty and staff members to future generations, that would not be possible without this institution in place.”

“So it is our absolute focus to ensure that people including our governor, including our constitutional officers, that they know how important it is for the economic indicators of how important WCSU is to our state, not just community. How important it is for the students who go to school there who are black and brown, who are coming from working class families all across our state.”

“We talk about UConn. We talk about private schools. But guess what? The CSU kids come from far, they come from near, but they stay in Connecticut and they make Connecticut what it is today. And you all should be proud of that. You are the hardworking folks that keep our state running. You’re gonna keep our state going year after year after you all have graduated and gone on because of people like Melissa, because of people like President Beran, and Dennis Leszko, and Tom and Paul and everybody else here.”

Rep. Paris concluded his remarks reiterating his colleague and encouraging students to continue advocating. “You’re making a difference. And you’re gonna keep making that difference. And we are gonna be on the frond lines standing with you, fighting for you and making sure that you get what you deserve to remain in this system and remain solvent for future generations for other Corey Parises, for other Michaels, for everyone else to make a difference in this world in the future. So thank you. Thank you for keeping up this fight. And keep being loud.”