APC Spectrum, Spring 2007

They did it again!

On March 5-6, more than 100 APC students and staff traveled to Albany for APC’s annual Lobby Day to make passionate and eloquent cases on behalf of TAP. And as a result of their energetic, effective and emotional advocacy, the legislature listened and responded. APC’s 2007 Lobby Day festivities began the evening of March 5th at APC’s annual Reception and Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Albany. This year’s dinner was a tremendous success, highlighted by a rousing speech from New York State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith and the announcement of the winner of APC’s second annual “Internet Activist of the Year.” In the weeks leading up to APC Lobby Day, students from APC institutions from across New York State inundated the State Legislature with “Tap the Power” emails urging weekly newspaper covering the State Legislature, attended the luncheon and spoke to several students. An article, Students at proprietary colleges want bigger TAP awards, Legislative Gazette, March 12th appeared as a result. On April 1st, the State Legislature rejected the Governor’s proposalto deny TAP to ATB (ability to benefit) students and modified the Accelerated TAP provisions to allow students to take remedial courses in their first two semesters and maintain eligibility for TAP. No doubt, the email and advocacy efforts of APC students played a key role in influencing the legislature’s actions. “I am constantly amazed at the passionate, energetic advocacy of APC students,” said Ellen Hollander, President of APC. “There is no better proof of the power of TAP than the success stories of our dedicated students. Congratulations to all who made APC Lobby Day 2007 an overwhelming success!” expanded access and choice for TAP in the 2007-08 State Budget. A majority of APC campuses participated, pushing the number of emails passed last year’s 60,000 to more than 75,000 this year. The Laboratory Institute of Merchandising was the resounding winner of the race for most emails sent by an APC institution. Congrats, LIM students! APC’s March 6th Lobby Day began with an early breakfast strategy meeting for students and staff. Students were provided with TAP stickers, legislative talking points, and directions to their legislators’ offices. Throughout the morning, teams of APC students sat down with legislators and senior staff and delivered personal stories about the importance of TAP. After a morning of advocacy, APC students and staff gathered at noon for APC’s Legislative Luncheon, where they were joined by more than 100 legislators and staff. Once again, several students spoke about what TAP means to their lives, describing the obstacles they have overcome to make their dream of college possible. A reporter from the Legislative Gazette, weekly newspaper covering the State Legislature, attended the luncheon and spoke to several students. An article, Students at proprietary colleges want bigger TAP awards, Legislative Gazette, March 12th appeared as a result. On April 1st, the State Legislature rejected the Governor’s proposal to deny TAP to ATB (ability to benefit) students and modified the Accelerated TAP provisions to allow students to take remedial courses in their first two semesters and maintain eligibility for TAP. No doubt, the email and advocacy efforts of APC students played a key role in influencing the legislature’s actions. “I am constantly amazed at the passionate, energetic advocacy of APC students,” said Ellen Hollander, President of APC. “There is no better proof of the power of TAP than the success stories of our dedicated students. Congratulations to allwho made APC Lobby Day 2007 an overwhelming success!”