Assembly Resolution No. 425

BY: M. of A. Schimminger

COMMENDING Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. upon the
occasion of her retirement after 38 years of
distinguished service to the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. upon the occasion of her retirement
after 38 years of illustrious service to the Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities on Wednesday, March 15, 2017; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, and The
Albany Law School of Union University, Juris Doctor, Elizabeth Van Nest,
Esq. has distinguished herself in numerous regards at the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Van Nest began her distinguished career starting
on the administrative side of the association's operations, quickly
advancing to Assistant to the Vice President for Governmental Relations;
upon graduation from law school in 1983, she moved to the position of
Legislative Counsel; and

WHEREAS, Two years later, Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. became the Chief
Legal Officer of the Commission as General Counsel before moving to the
esteemed position of Vice President for Legal Affairs, in addition to
having served since 1994 as the Executive Director of the Organization
of Independent College and University Trustees, the Council of Governing
Boards; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her many years of service, Elizabeth Van Nest,
Esq. represented the interests of independent colleges and universities
before the courts and the National Labor Relations Board Amicus Curiae
in matters involving state action, employer liability, graduate
assistants, tax exemption, affirmative action and the public trust
doctrine, diligently, persuasively and effectively applying her talents
and abilities to take into account the breadth, depth, diversity, and
uniqueness of independent colleges and universities and the students
they serve; and

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. also engaged in efforts to
preserve and improve Direct Institutional Aid, the Tuition Assistance
Program, and the higher education opportunity programs, including HEOP,
STEP and C-STEP, shepherding the Liberty Partnership Program to
enactment; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. crafted and drafted
economic development initiatives, guided New York's deliberations in
enacting the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act

(UPMIFA), and kept a watchful eye as New York State enacted and amended
the Non-Profit Revitalization Act of 2013; and

WHEREAS, To ensure the best education for New York State's youth,
Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. fought tirelessly for campus safety, teacher
education and certification, program approval, quality assurance,
accountability, and numerous other proposals affecting independent
higher education; and

WHEREAS, As the longest tenured employee to date, Elizabeth Van
Nest, Esq. has spent more than two-thirds of her life in service to the
more than 100 independent colleges and universities in New York State;
and

WHEREAS, For the past 38 years, Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities, earning the admiration, esteem
and affection of her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as Vice President for Legal Affairs and
General Counsel, Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. served with loyalty, honor and
distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed
a unique grasp of human problems in her official acts; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq. upon the occasion of her retirement
after 38 years of distinguished service to the Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Elizabeth Van Nest, Esq.