Yesterday, Essex County College students held a press conference on the proposed 20%-40% tuition increase designed to balance the $3.9 million dollar budget deficit. Students, alumni and staff spoke out in solidarity. Although the press conference was scheduled to take place on the 2nd floor near the Information Desk, the students were told at the last-minute that holding a press conference in that location would be a traffic hazard and noise disturbance.
Still, the students organized in a new location and spoke about the deficit, the lack of services they receive, inequity in funding from the county and the state, and the lack of transparency from Essex County College administration. Essex County College police began to arrive shortly after the press conference began and blocked people from viewing the press conference up close.
The Newark Times was there to cover the press conference. Here is video footage of some of the points that were made.
