Support CUNY Restoration of $45.2 Million to City Budget  Dear Members and Friends of The City University of New York Community:  The proposed Fiscal 2012 budget for New York City calls for $45.2 million less in direct operating support for CUNY's six community colleges. We urgently ask you to contact City Council members to urge their support to restore the proposed reductions and provide critically needed funding.  Since 2001, community college student enrollment has increased by 44 percent. CUNY's community colleges are serving more than 91,000 degree-credit students and over 146,000 students in adult and continuing education. CUNY plays a critical role in the City's economy, whereby, 76 percent of associate degree recipients work and pay taxes and 72 percent are continuing their education. With a growing student body, the shortfall in operating support will directly affect the colleges' ability to provide quality education our students come to rely on. A reduced budget would impact course sections, full-time faculty, library hours, and academic and student services. In addition, critical maintenance funding is needed to bring community colleges facilities to a state-of-good repair.  The City's budget also proposes a cut of $6 million to the Peter F. Vallone Scholarship program. Scholarship support is crucial to CUNY students, most of whom work part-time or full-time while they pursue a degree.  Please visit www.supportcuny.org today and e-mail your council members. Draft letters are also provided below, and we encourage you to personalize them to reflect your individual circumstance or opinion. Please ask relatives, friends, alumni, and others to express their views. Especially in these difficult economic times, community colleges provide a crucial pathway to careers and educational advancement, thus strengthening New York's workforce and the tax base.  We very much need your help now. Please click on one of the letters listed below and support restoration efforts for The City University of New York by sending an e-mail to New York City Council members.  Thank you for your continued support.  Jay Hershenson Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary, Board of Trustees Student Letter Community College Letter Faculty and Staff Letter Alumni Letter Friend Letter Parent Letter Peter F. Vallone Scholarship Letter