The Griffin: volume 57, issue 17 - Mar. 6, 1987

              Schimminger, incidentally, will speak Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in the foyer of the Koessler Athletic Center. He is expected to announce his candidacy for the position of Erie County Executive at that time. "The case is increasingly persuasive this year," Schimminger said. "Students traveling to the state capital (Albany) to meet with legislators both formally and informally is helpful to both students and legislators." Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Kenmore), whs was a prime sponsor of the TAP proposal two years ago, pointed out that TAP was raised last year, an election year, and this year may be an "off year." paign will be critical in that it will keep the legislators' attention focused on TAR" he continued. Assemblyman Dennis Gorski (D-Cheektowaga) urged students to "lobby strenuously to your colleagues to continue your letter-writing campaign." "It's important that we made our presence known and voiced concern. The letter-writing cam- "Our primary focus is an educational one—to tell the legislators what we need and why," Greco said. "I think we accomplished that goal this year." "Good lobbying is an application of good teaching and can affect the legislature," stated Rev. Edmund G. Ryan, S.J., executive vice president for academic affairs, one of the administrators who accompanied the ISC on the trip. "I wanted the students to say what TAP did for them." The bill calls for a $200 increase in the maximum TAP award from $2850 to $3050, a rise in the income eligibility level for the minimum award from $32,000 to $34,000, and the elimination of the $200 reduction (referred to as the "uppercut") in awards for students who have received four semesters of TAP payments. All these proposals will affect undergraduate students only. A delegation of 36 Canisius students and four administrators traveled to Albany this week to lobby the New York State Legislature for increases in TAP awards. They met with legislators from Western New York in the hopes of influencing the government officials to vote in favor of the proposal. by Dave Hibbard ALBANY—The proposal made by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), which includes a request to increase the amount of money given to students in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) of New York State, has a "good chance" of being passed in the proposed 1987-88 state budget, according to Jim Greco, '88, president of the Canisius chapter of the Independent Student Coalition (ISC). Under the' leadership of Dr. S. Chidambaram, professor of biology, Canisius will again participate in the walk for birth defects. This is Chidambaram's second year participating with Canisius and he anticipates that more persons will get involved this year as representatives of the College. by Julanne Pace Once again this year the March of Dimes will sponsor a walk-a-thon in order to raise money for birth defects. The teamwalk is slated for Sunday, April 26 and consists of a 20 mile or 33 kilometer walk that begins at Medaille College. The March of Dimes will provide hot dogs and beverages during the course of the walk. students from Canisius and even some parents. "It was very encouraging, everyone I asked either participated by walking or donating to the March of Dimes," Chidambaram said. Last year's participants from Canisius also received a short or cap with the school's emblem. Canisius Scheduled to Participate In March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon "Last year the Campus Programming Board, The Griffin, and Undergraduate Student Assembly all supported me on the walk," Chidambaram noted. important than completion," Chidambaram stressed. Instead of walking, people can still participate in the walk by offering their time as drivers, checkpoint people, or by sponsoring a walker. Chidambaram made note that a willingness to participate exemplifies commitment and concern for something beneficial. "Responsible college people reflect a positive outlook on Canisius," he added. There are prizes awarded, including a breakfast for the largest team that shows up for WalkAmerica. One lucky team member may even win a trip to Epcot Center. Chidambaram also encouraged club members to participate by either walking or sponsoring a walker. Chidambaram hopes to see an increase in participation from students and faculty at the college this year. Although some individuals may find the walk tiresome, it is not a requirement to finish the walk. "Participation is much more Not only is walking healthy, according to Chidambaram, but funds raised from the walka-thon will help the fight against birth defects. Chidambaram commented, "Polio is an example of a disease conquered by the March of Dimes." The WalkAmerica is sponsored annually and proves to be the March of Dimes' largest fund raiser. Photo courtesy of ROBERT L. SMITH Dr. S. Chidambaram (right), associate professor of biology, and Charles M. Mitschow, president of Marine Midland Bank, join March of Dimes poster child Sara McBride in promoting the organization's annual walk-a-thon, which will be held April 26. From this point, others got involved in the walk, including "last year, I spoke with 12 or 14 people on the faculty, presented the idea of representing Canisius as a team, and everyone agreed," he said. '' jfl v A/l "4^ 4 W >\ ■IfllllfnBimri"FM^ririll^TIHli WSr m P J K* ** r - 9H m * j|^HHp|Rg£gpN9w£|^^H^|HHH|H^^HB0Rp FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1987 VOLUME LVII, NUMBER 17 "It is important (for students) to be lobbying hard," Sheffer stated. "Your (students) goal is to make sure that TAP is a priority for the legislators from Western New York. 'The TAP program needs to be improved; it is at the top of the list of things needed to be accomplished in the next four weeks (at which time (cont'd on page 4) Lobbyists Go to Albany to Seek TAP Increase Daniel B. Walsh, majority leader of the New York State Assembly, reviews a letter outlining the proposed increases in TAP with Canisius student lobbyist Lynn Colosi '90, Photo by roti flynn Sheffer, however, disagreed with Graber's statement. "Graber said that they (legislators) were behind the proposal. We didn't need to present a 20-minute (argument)," Kohler said. "But we weren't flogging a dead horse." Doug Kohler, '88, who talked with Assemblyman Vincent J. Graber (D-Buffalo), was told by the assemblyman that the Canisius TAP lobbyists were "preaching to a choir" by encouraging legislators to vote for the proposal. "It's not going to be easy. There's no substantial increase in TAP because there's no election this year," Sheffer said. TTTI? TT7T7TKJ fjg| 1 Lifcj UKlttlN Serving The College Community Assemblyman John Sheffer (R-Williamsville) concurred with Schimminger's assessment of the proposal's chances in the legislature.