Honor York College's 50th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3039 BY: Senator COMRIE COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of City College of New York - York College WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those institutions of commitment and high achievement, whose purpose and endeavors prove a dedication to the pursuit of excellence in the education of the young adults of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, The City University of New York (CUNY) is the largest city university system in the world with more than 200,000 students enrolled at campuses throughout the five boroughs of New York City; and WHEREAS, On October 24, 1966, CUNY voted to create a fifth senior college, Alpha College, to serve the city's growing student population; as its first president, Dr. Dumont F. Kenny quickly renamed the school York College with the intention of building a bucolic, suburban liberal arts school; and WHEREAS, York College opened its doors in the Fall of 1967, with an entering class of 371 students and a full-time instructional staff of 50 occupying the site for the first academic year; and WHEREAS, In May of 1968, the CUNY Board of Higher Education selected Jamaica, New York, as the future site of York College's permanent location; three years later, President Milton G. Bassin assumed the presidency and found temporary classrooms on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside, New York; and WHEREAS, The CUNY Board reaffirmed York College's presence by authorizing construction of the new campus in Jamaica, New York; during this time, the college underwent expansive curricular development and began to offer career related majors in the health professions and opened the Office of Continuing Education to offer classes on practical subjects; and WHEREAS, Construction on York College's permanent campus began in December of 1980; within six years, the college had enrolled over 4,000 students and held its first classes in the new Academic Core; and WHEREAS, In 1990, York College opened its Performing Arts Center and the Health and Physical Education facilities, followed by the athletic fields a year later; this was followed by the construction of the United States Food and Drug Administration's regional headquarters on York College's campus, allowing students to take advantage of collaborative internships, fellowships and research with world-class scientists; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, York College launched the Provost Distinguished Scholars Lecture Series in 2009, attracting renowned writers, scholars and scientists to speak to the York community; the college also hired 33 new faculty members and reorganized its 18 academic departments into three schools, the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Information Systems and School of Health and Behavioral Sciences; and WHEREAS, Today, York College has grown to more than 7,780 students from 120 countries speaking more than 83 languages; with plans to build major additions to its campus, York College is eager to further improve the opportunities for its students; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, York College has strengthened its academic programs by gaining national accreditations and creating new academic offerings, as well as bolstered the college's partnership with the FDA; and WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, City College of New York - York College may look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth and hold true of purpose in its commitment to serving the educational needs of its students; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of City College of New York - York College; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, President, York College.