LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Steven G. Poskanzer for his inspired
leadership and distinguished service as the President of SUNY New Paltz

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superb caliber of its educational
professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in the young
people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to commend Steven G.
Poskanzer upon the culmination of his many years of distinguished
service as the President of SUNY New Paltz; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer will be recognized by the SUNY New Paltz
Foundation Board for his extraordinary career on Thursday, June 17,
2010; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer was named the seventh President of New
Paltz in May 2003; he is an expert in higher education law, with a broad
range of administrative experience at both public and private universi-
ties and colleges; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer received an A.B. degree, cum laude, from
Princeton University in 1980, and a J.D. degree from Harvard University
in 1983; after two years of private practice with a Washington, D.C. law
firm, he joined the legal office at the University of Pennsylvania,
where he served first as assistant and then as associate General Coun-
sel; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Steven G. Poskanzer became an American Council on
Education Fellow at Princeton University, where he worked as a special
assistant to Princeton's provost; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Steven G. Poskanzer became Executive Assist-
ant to the President at the University of Chicago, where he was respon-
sible, among other matters, for the development of strategy on academic
and administrative issues, policy planning for the University's Board of
Trustees, and the management of the daily operations of the President's
Office; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Steven G. Poskanzer returned to upstate New York
when he accepted a position with SUNY; he rose quickly through a variety
of positions in the SUNY Provost's Office, serving in succession as
Associate Provost, Senior Associate Provost, and the Vice Provost; and
WHEREAS, As SUNY's Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Steven G.
Poskanzer was responsible for planning and carrying out initiatives to
enhance academic quality across the 64-campus system; and
WHEREAS, In October 2001, Steven G. Poskanzer was named interim presi-
dent at New Paltz, a position he held until his selection as the Presi-
dent; and
WHEREAS, President Poskanzer's scholarly focus is on college and
university law; he taught in the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate
School of Education and at the University of Chicago Law School; his
book HIGHER EDUCATION LAW: THE FACULTY was published by Johns Hopkins
University Press in 2001; and
WHEREAS, President Poskanzer's tenure at New Paltz has been marked by
many accomplishments; under his leadership, the College's academic
profile grew both statewide and nationally; the percentage of entering
freshmen coming from the highest selectivity category doubled from 20
percent to 40 percent; the average high school GPA for freshmen students

rose from 87.9 to 91.2; the College's acceptance rate is an enviable 34
percent for freshmen and 36 percent for transfer students; during this
time, New Paltz has also maintained its hallmark diversity, with one-
quarter of its students coming from traditionally underrepresented
groups; and
WHEREAS, In addition, President Poskanzer dramatically improved the
public perception of the College, as exemplified by New Paltz's desig-
nation in NEWSWEEK as the "Hottest Small State School" in America in
2008 and a front-page story in THE NEW YORK TIMES in 2009 highlighting
the growing selectivity and quality of the College and describing it as
one of the nation's most well-regarded public institutions; consequent-
ly, the school's popularity grew, with freshmen applications jumping
from 9,625 in 2001 to 15,500 in 2009, an increase of 61 percent; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, student retention rates and graduation
rates also increased significantly; the freshmen-to-sophomore retention
rate when he arrived was 83.6 percent; in 2009, it was 88 percent; New
Paltz's four- and six-year graduation rates have also reached new record
levels; the four-year rate rose from 30.7 to 48.5 percent and the six-
year rate went from 52 to 68.9 percent; and
WHEREAS, President Poskanzer also improved the quality of student life
through new and renovated residence halls, a new Athletic and Wellness
Center, an addition to the Student Union (known as "the Aerie"),
enhanced school spirit, increased success of the College's sports teams,
and better student services; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, President Poskanzer forged partnerships with
business and political leaders which led to some of the biggest physical
improvements to the New Paltz campus in decades, including a new science
building, renovations of the library and the Old Main Building; he also
improved public access to the College and its resources by opening a
Welcome Center and establishing the Center for Research, Regional Educa-
tion and Outreach (CRREO), to conduct and publicize research on regional
topics; and encourage faculty to build regionally-based service activity
into their scholarship and teaching; and
WHEREAS, During President Poskanzer's leadership, the College
increased the number of full-time faculty and reduced the high number of
part-time faculty, a weakness that had been identified by SUNY System
Administration before his arrival; a decade ago, almost half of New
Paltz courses were taught by adjuncts; today, only 30.1 percent of
courses are taught by part-time faculty; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, President Poskanzer has
been called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic
and charitable endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly;
and
WHEREAS, President Poskanzer serves on several regional boards and
committees; he is the Commissioner of the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education and is also a member of the Board of Directors for
Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress, Mohonk Mountain House, Mohonk Preserve,
and St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jane Nofer Poskanzer, his wife, and their two children,
Jill and Craig, feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in
his achievements; and
WHEREAS, President Poskanzer has continuously demonstrated dedication,
devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of the educa-
tional programs and opportunities offered at SUNY New Paltz; and
WHEREAS, The extraordinary career and accomplishments of President
Poskanzer present an exemplary model of educational leadership and
achievement which merits the admiration and appreciation of the people
of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Steven G. Poskanzer for his inspired leadership and distin-
guished service as the President of SUNY New Paltz; and be further
RESOLVED, That Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, be congratu-
lated on choosing Steven G. Poskanzer as the next President of the
college; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steven G. Poskanzer.