Throughout the NVCC campus signs read “February 24, 2015- State Budget Appropriations Public Hearing- bus leaving 4:30 p.m., Parking lot D- All Students Welcome. Sign up in S-514.” The students at Naugatuck Valley Community College, once again organized themselves to speak out on behalf of their College, and their concerns about the state’s higher education budget.

On February 24, 2015 students from colleges and universities throughout the state flooded the Legislative Office Building to attend the Appropriations Committee public hearing about the higher education budget. Students came in large numbers to voice their concerns about potential cuts to the 2015-16 budget and its impact on the state’s colleges and universities.

Naugatuck Valley Community College student, Jamil Perez noted that “If the state decided to cut the budget for higher education it will make it much harder for students to go to college. All we are asking is for college to continue being affordable so we do not close the door to students who struggle to pay for college.”

Another NVCC student, Chelsea Clow, reflected on the trip to Hartford saying, “I thought it was an incredibly empowering experience. It was wonderful to see so many college students there and I was so proud of the NVCC students who testified!”

The Marketing and Public Relations Department at Naugatuck Valley Community College was proud to have student assistant, Kristin Harris cover the event.  “People say that young people do not get involved with what goes on here in the state. Last night said something totally different. It was so amazing to see students from all over Connecticut standing up for something. If we could come together, and do something like this all the time, think of the impact we can make,” Harris said.