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Advocacy.
A key component of our advocacy efforts remains our direct one on one
conversations as well as presentations before key constituent groups. Along with
members of my Cabinet, we appeared numerous times before the education and
information Technology Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature to present
updates on College activities and to continue discussions related to our capital and
operating budgets. we also appeared in joint meetings with the County executive’s
staff to discuss progress and new initiatives being advanced at the College.
one-on-one meetings were held with our Long island delegation in Albany and we
will continue to hold these meetings with members of the Long island delegation
elected to the State Senate and Assembly.
recently, i was asked to co-chair the Legislative Committee for the African American
President's roundtable. is body is an affiliate of the American Association of
Community Colleges (AACC). Serving as co-chair is a significant national position, as
my committee will be required to advance national issues/policies for Presidents from
community colleges around the country.
i am also one of six SUNY community college presidents selected to serve on the
New York Community College Association of Presidents (NYCCAP) futures Task
force. As there has been a prolonged history of many Local Sponsors not meeting
their fiscal obligations in support of community colleges across the State, and since
the State has seldom delivered the 40% funding as required by law, the New York
Community College Association of Presidents (NYCCAP) determined that it will
examine the current funding formula, delivering its findings to NYCCAP in time for
its June 2013 meeting.
in february the College hosted New York State’s Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales,
who presented highlights from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s proposed budget
during an informational session held at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in
riverhead. is session was open to business, industry, educational institutions, and
residents across Long island.
it was an honor to join SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Chairman of the SUNY
Board of Trustees Carl McCall and presidents from five other SUNY institutions in
Albany, as we met with elected officials during SUNY Day to speak about the
successes of the 64 campuses during the most recent operating year. included in these
appointments were meetings with State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos,
Senator Kenneth Lavalle, Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver, and Assemblymen
Michael fitzpatrick and Philip ramos.
in March, at the invitation of the New York State Assembly republican Members
from Suffolk and Nassau counties, i was invited to present testimony on how
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2012-2013 executive Budget proposal would impact
Long island residents. e following month, i attended an organizational meeting
that brought together the six CUNY Presidents and the four SUNY Presidents invited
to represent the system’s 30 community colleges. e discussion centered upon the
numerous opportunities that exist for collaboration between the combined
SUNY/CUNY community colleges. follow-up meetings will occur, where mutual
goals can be determined and appropriate action steps pursued.
Chairwoman of the College’s Board of Trustees Dafny J. irizarry and i were special
guests and in attendance when President Barack obama announced that his fiscal
Year 2013 budget included a proposed $8 Billion to fund job training partnerships
involving community colleges. e Community College to Career fund is intended
to train 2 million workers, leading directly to employment. is proposal would have
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2011-2012 Review of Accomplishments