Dear English Majors and Minors, We do not usually email our students about political matters, or reach out over the summer break. However, in the wake of the pandemic, Queens College is facing unprecedented budget cuts. These cuts will really affect the quality of your experience with us, so we are reaching out in the hopes that you will help us fight them, and preserve the quality education you deserve. The proposed budget cuts will make class sizes across the college go up enormously. At the same time, other classes will be cancelled, and faculty will be laid off. Entire programs may be eliminated. At a time when our students need the opportunities that a CUNY education affords more than ever, we are being starved of the resources that will allow us to provide it. A recent op-ed about CUNY and racial justice<https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-how-cuny-helps-dismantle-racism-20200610-4detwncevfhjdjtufcv4pvtliu-story.html> that was published by a Queens College professor argues against these cuts. The piece also features one of your peers, a fellow QC student. The good news is that we still have time to avoid those cuts if students, faculty, staff, and alumni organize together to oppose them. In these unprecedented times, I write to ask that all of you to think about how you have benefited from a CUNY education and share your story with Governor Cuomo, your state assembly member, and your state senator. Queens College's budget comes from the state. However, if you live in NYC, you can also write your city council member and encourage them to increase funding for CUNY because the community colleges are funded by the city. You can find your elected officials here<https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/change-your-address/> or here<http://disc-chipmunk-ca47.squarespace.com/>. Many State Senators/ Assembly members will write back to acknowledge your email. I will also follow up this email with another about how to submit a short video for a project the Media Studies department is putting together. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. Best, ? Karen Weingarten Acting Chair and Associate Professor English Department Klapper Hall 602 Queens College, CUNY http://english.qc.cuny.edu