SENATE RESOLUTION establishing a New York State Senate Task Force on
Community Colleges and the Economy

WHEREAS, Community colleges are one of our country's essential engines
of educational opportunity and economic development and, currently,
represent the largest and fastest-growing sector of higher education in
the nation, enrolling almost half of all undergraduate students; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the number of 18- to 24-year-olds attending college
in the United States reached an all-time high, an increase driven by
increasing enrollment in two-year colleges; and
WHEREAS, In New York State, community colleges at The State University
of New York (SUNY) and The City University of New York (CUNY) currently
educate more than three hundred thousand degree-credit students, with
both university systems having seen explosive enrollment increases at
their respective community colleges in recent years; and
WHEREAS, These enrollment increases have coincided with the country's
deep economic recession; and
WHEREAS, In these present times of financial distress, New Yorkers are
increasingly turning to community colleges for job-training, profes-
sional development, and advanced study opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges meet an extraordinary array of academic
needs while simultaneously developing ways to ensure that students have
a meaningful college experience that advances their professional and
vocational objectives; and
WHEREAS, By providing affordable degree and training programs to build
the country's skilled workforce, community colleges have recently become
a focal point of national economic recovery efforts, with President
Barack Obama having announced, in July, 2009, the American Graduation
Initiative to reform and strengthen community colleges and help an addi-
tional five million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next
decade; and
WHEREAS, New York State should encourage the role that community
colleges play in creating a highly skilled labor force and strengthening
the economy in partnership with the government, business and labor
communities, as it continues to work to meet the challenges presented by
a difficult economy; and
WHEREAS, In order to maximize the community colleges' potential as an
economic recovery vehicle, the State should examine how community
colleges can further assist local and statewide efforts, establish
appropriate programs to support current and future labor needs, and
graduate more students who can serve the people as highly skilled
professionals; and
WHEREAS, A task force on community colleges and the economy can
provide valuable assistance to this Legislative Body in developing
legislation regarding SUNY and CUNY community colleges and their current
workforce and economic development efforts, reviewing the State's
investment in its community colleges, particularly in light of growing
enrollment, and proposing recommendations to greater utilize and partner
with community colleges to further the State's recovery efforts; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate recognizes and appreciates the fact
that the SUNY and CUNY community colleges are a key to the recovery and
well-being of New York State, by offering students of every background
the advantages that an academic degree affords, and by providing the
State with the skilled workforce and community partnerships that build
local and state economies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
establish a New York State Senate Task Force on Community Colleges and

the Economy, consisting of 11 Senators to be appointed by the Temporary
President of the Senate; four of such members shall be appointed upon
the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the Senate; the chairperson
of such committee and six additional members shall be appointed by the
Temporary President of the Senate; the membership will be made up of
representatives from the academic, business, government and labor commu-
nities; all appointed members will serve without compensation and will
be reimbursed for travel expenses not to exceed one hundred dollars per
day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the New York State Senate Task Force on Community
Colleges and the Economy shall develop and deliver to the State Senate
no later than December 31, 2010, an interim report with preliminary
recommendations, along with a final report no later than July 1, 2011,
with long-term forecasts and recommendations.