CHLOE KOWALYK
Editor in Chief
Students For Fredonia (SFF), a student advocacy group, has organized several protests, panels and events throughout the semester following the announcement of 13 programs being cut at SUNY Fredonia.
Many students have joined SFF in the fight for fair funding for Fredonia. As commencement grows near, some students involved in the club are reflecting on their experiences.
Abby Tartaro is a senior psychology major and co-president of SFF. She explained that she first got involved in SFF after hearing about the program cuts, just as many other students did.
“As an advocate, I was not going to watch a social injustice unfold in front of me without combating it in every way that possibly I could,” Tartaro said. “I wanted the chance to make a difference for the people that I care about. I am proud to call the faculty, staff and students at Fredonia my family.”
As Tartaro approaches her graduation day, she is hoping to leave behind positivity and advocacy, and is also hopeful for the future of the club.
“Every voice that makes up Students for Fredonia is crucial, and I know they will continue to remain a strong and powerful group after I graduate,” she said.
Photo by Becca Torncello, Staff Photographer.
Tartaro reflected on many of the memories she had made throughout the short time SFF has existed, as the club started late in the Fall 2023 semester. “The e-board has become my family and we support each other in events that occur both inside and outside of Students for Fredonia,” she said.
Tartaro shared that her favorite memory was when SFF visited Albany to advocate for state legislators to allocate fair funds to the college. “I got to know some incredible people that have influenced me in so many ways,” she said.
Tartaro also enjoyed attending e-board meetings. “Many of us cope with humor, and our sarcasm bouncing off of each other when we are frustrated is hysterical,” she added.
While she is proud of everything the club accomplished this year, Tartaro has some goals for next year.
First, she hopes the trip to Albany continues each year until Fredonia receives fair funding. She also hopes SFF will continue hosting their events and protests.
In addition, Tartaro hopes SFF will continue to establish a relationship with administrators.
“I want SFF to work collaboratively with our administrators so that we can all be effective and on the same team, but that needs to be a goal of our administrators as well in order for that to become a reality,” she said. “I know that the group will continue to accomplish great things and I am so proud of each of the people involved.”
In addition, Tartaro mentioned that she hopes SFF can join other SUNY campuses, inspiring them to also create their own campus advocacy groups.
For students still at Fredonia, Tartaro wants students to continue to support SFF, as they will support them.
“Students should know that we are their biggest supporters,” she said. “We will do everything in our power to fight for what is right for our students and teach people how to effectively use their voices.”
As Tartaro concludes her time at Fredonia, she said, “I really hope that our administrators will advocate for us the way that their jobs require them to. I hope that the students realize that although we are students, we actually have more power than our administrators. We can use our voices in ways that they can’t.”
Finally, Tartaro advised current students and faculty to utilize the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) to request information that is being hidden.
“We deserve to know what is happening to our education and employment and we will not stop until we get what we need — transparency and funding,” she said.
