Issues: CUNY (City University of New York)

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, chair of the State Senate’s Higher Education Committee, said today that the State’s Community Colleges need to better identify which students are better suited for a vocational rather than an academic track which would save students’ money and time and ensure their continued enrollment and eventual graduation.

“Our community colleges need to provide greater access to vocational training,” Senator LaValle said, “which in turn would prevent students who are currently in remedial courses and failing, the opportunity to pursue a course of study more suited to them.”

SUNY trustees unanimously passed resolution calling for Dream Act policies in New York

 (New York, NY) – Today, the State University of New York’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling for legislation that would allow for undocumented immigrants to have the same access to tuition assistance, loans, and in-state tuition rates as every other student in New York State.   Senator Adriano Espaillat (D – Manhattan/Bronx) released the following statement:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled his 2012-13 Executive Budget and Reform Plan, which expands on the historic reforms enacted last year to continue building a New New York. As a result of the tough decisions and bipartisan cooperation of the past year, the State is able to close the current deficit without broad cuts, new taxes, fees or gimmicks. In addition, the Governor’s Executive Budget proposes major reforms to reduce the cost of government for taxpayers, implements accountability in our schools to put students first, and puts the State in a position to leverage billions of dollars in private sector investment to grow the economy and create jobs.

Following Bill's Passage, Squadron Asks Governor to Invest New York Works Infrastructure Fund in Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan

Squadron Applauds Passage of Programs He’s Long Championed: Summer Youth Employment, Career Pathways

ALBANY – Following the state legislature’s passage of legislation aimed at creating jobs and growing New York’s economy, State Senator Daniel Squadron asked Governor Cuomo to invest part of the New York Works Infrastructure Fund in key projects in the 25th Senate District: the rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Queens-Expressway (BQE), an incentive program for Lower Manhattan businesses to increase energy efficiency, and a new academic center at New York City College of Technology (City Tech).

Governor Cuomo awarded $2.5 million in College Access Challenge Grants (CACG) to programs that will help thousands of low income students obtain a college degree.

These programs, run by organizations and schools across the state, provide crucial services including academic support for students at risk of dropping out, training for high school guidance counselors serving low income students and college financing workshops. Last year, these CACG funded programs helped more than 47,000 New Yorkers apply for and succeed in college.

Today Senator Serrano attended the opening of the Hunter College’s Louis V. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work Building. The building, located in the East Harlem community, houses the CUNY School of Public Health, the library and archives of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity, and the Graduate Center Apartments."It is great for a  building of this magnitude to be in the East Harlem community", said Senator Serrano. "Hunter College has one of the top social work programs in the nation, and having their main facility in East Harlem will be a great addition to the neighborhood. The services they offer will  undoubtedly bring much-needed resources into our community.”

NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery joined today at Long Island University with Brooklyn high school principals and college presidents, students, state education officials and union leaders to announce the start of four new Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) programs in Brooklyn, New York.

ALBANY, 08/09/11 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) announced today that legislation he co-sponsored establishing a rational tuition policy for State University of New York (SUNY) schools has been signed into law.

“Our SUNY schools are one of our state’s greatest assets; they provide our future innovators and leaders with a quality, affordable education while partnering with communities statewide and driving our local economies,” said Senator Seward.  “Establishing a rational tuition policy will aid students and parents as they plan for the cost of a college education.”