The Hunter Envoy

Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Tami Gold Lawyer Ronald B. McGuire, who represents the Hunter student-parents and their children, in front of the New York Supreme Court on Feb. 11.

On the afternoon of Feb. 11, with the streets still blanketed from the previous day's blizzard, a student-run committee defending the Children's Learning Center (CLC), took Hunter College to court. Led by student-parent activists Angela Molfetas and Luz Schreiber, the committee challenged the school's decision to remove room 209 in the Hunter North building from the allocated CLC facilities. The hearing took place in the New York State Supreme Court.

Back in May it was announced that the classroom (one of four used by the CLC) was to be turned into a graduate admissions office. The student-parent committee assembled after the surprise announcement demanded protection of the room. They impeded President Raab's decision by filing lawsuits against the college.

Hunter's lawyers moved to have the lawsuits thrown out at the Feb. 11 hearing, but the motion was unsuccessful. A new court date has been set for March 18.

Schreiber characterized the ruling as a victory. It was a "good day in court," she announced on the "Defend Hunter Childcare" Facebook.com group. "The judge did not listen to the Hunter lawyers' argument to dismiss the case."

When Vice President of Student Affairs, Eija Ayravainen, made the May announcement that room 209 was closing, Hunter student-parents moved quickly to form the Defense of the CLC Committee to protect the classroom's function.

The administration's response in favor of the reconstruction of room 209 was that the Children's Learning Center was not utilized at its full capacity, thus defending their decision to transform it into a graduate admissions office.

But several student-parents claim this was a consequence of Hunter not actively promoting the CLC. Luz Schreiber expressed her concern that many of Hunter's student-parents are not aware of the high-quality and affordable childcare service that is available.

The committee has collected an estimated 3,000 signatures in opposition to Hunter taking away the room. Its efforts have resulted in the support of many organizations on campus and off. They have also been able to win the endorsements of New York City council members Ydanis Rodriguez and Charles Barron.

In an interview with WBAI 99.5FM in early July 2009, Schreiber and Molfetas publicized a rally scheduled later that month to keep the fourth room of the Children's Learning Center.

Supporters of their cause, they said, saw the move as displaying a lack of support for the academic success of Hunter student-parents and the future of their families. Schreiber and Molfetas argued that Hunter College should work towards expanding childcare services instead of cutting them back.

Back in December, Dean Ayravainen called The Children's Learning Center "a luxury."

Schreiber responded by calling Ayravainen's claim outrageous.

Councilman Barron, who is also the former chair of Higher Education, offered his own rebuttal in the form of a letter to Hunter College students, available for viewing on the committee's webpage, defendhunterchildcare.org. "This is an unconscionable attack on parents' right to education," he affirmed. "Childcare is not a luxury," he added. "It is a necessity for struggling working families and students."

On July 22, at 1:30 p.m., the rally was held on the corner of 68th Street and Lexington as planned. More than 75 supporters turned out to fight for the protection of the CLC classroom.

According to defendhunterchildcare.org, Hunter student Agustin Castro was arrested at the rally and is facing "serious charges" for disorderly conduct.

Despite the CLC Defense Committee's efforts, the administration has stood by its decision.

However, things began to look up for student-parents when on Dec. 21, 2009, Luz Schreiber and Angela Molfetas won a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to halt the construction that was scheduled to occur during winter break. Judge Jane Goodman made the ruling. Attorneys Gideon Orion Oliver and Ronald B. McGuire are representing the student-parents in the legal proceedings.

Schreiber, a founding member of the CLC Defense Committee graduated from Hunter with a B.A. in Creative Writing in January. "I would not have been able to graduate without the help and support of the Children's Learning Center," she said.

Schreiber is hopeful that the March 18 court case will resolve in the favor of student-parents. "Our lawyers made strong arguments," she said. "We will be coming back to win! The struggle continues!"

For information on the Children's Learning Center visit: hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/clc

To listen to the full Schreiber-Molfetas interview and for more on the CLC Defense Committee go to: defendhuhunterchildren.org.

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