Editorial : SU students can aid youth in financially strapped city schools

The Syracuse City School District faces one of the gravest financial and operational moments in its history. State cuts to public education, in addition to a nearly $50 million budget shortfall, forced leading administrators and the school board to make deep cuts that will undoubtedly affect the quality of education in the city schools.

The district is dealing with an urgent dilemma: how to provide a quality education to disadvantaged students with less and less money. Regardless of their major, interests or extracurricular activities, Syracuse University students can step up to assist by simply being role models and sources of inspiration to students in the city schools.

Buried in the host of bad news, Say Yes to Education has provided a glimmer of hope for the district. Last week the Syracuse Common Council passed a resolution to give the organization and the city’s students $7,500, which will help double the number of students in Say Yes’ summer program. Not only do SU students help tutor throughout the school year, but several will stay and help out with the summer program.

SU is not responsible for, nor capable of, uplifting every corner of this economically depressed city. But students can take it upon themselves to help the schools in a variety of ways, whether that means tutoring through a traditional volunteer program; reaching out to specific departments, such as drama or science; or fundraising for a city athletic team or student organization. Civically minded students must see that aiding the city schools can have the most profound effect on the city and its future.

Young adults have the innate ability to connect with and inspire teens and children in ways their parents and teachers cannot. The city has a wealth of college students who can provide hard evidence to the city’s youth that college is attainable, necessary and worthwhile.