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LEGISLATIVE MEMO
Regarding the upcoming Board of Regents election
On February 15, 2016 the College Democrats of New York unanimously voted to urge
members of the state legislature to elect a millennial to the New York State Board of
Regents.
Last year the legislature made history, electing regents with increased racial and gender
diversity.1 We applaud this, but now we request perhaps the most under-represented
voice in education be represented: young people. According to the U.S. Census, over
48% of New Yorkers are under the age of 35, which leaves nearly half of all New
Yorkers without a voice on the Board of Regents.2 We strongly urge the state legislature
to correct this and elect qualified millennials to the Board of Regents.
We understand the importance of the Board of Regents, because we have seen the
impacts of their decisions first hand. At the same time, we recognize that it may be too
late in the Regent-selection process to elect a qualified millennial. However, we strongly
urge the legislature make a serious effort to recruit millennial applicants for the board
going forward.
Former teachers, administrators, parents, educational scholars, and community leaders
have all been appointed to the Board of Regents. We believe now is the time to add
recently-graduated students to that list. We urge the legislature to give young people a
voice on the New York State Board of Regents.
College Democrats Contact:
Sean Kaczmarek
CDNY Political Director
collegedemsny@gmail.com
716-783-2080

1
2

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/03/8563704/board-regents-include-more-minority-women
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

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