April 23, 2007

Welcome to the Annual Queens Borough Hearing of the Board of Trustees of the City of New York. It is my pleasure as Borough President to host this hearing and join the University Trustees to hear your thoughts, ideas and concerns regarding the institution.

I know first hand the importance that CUNY plays in so many of our lives. As a young mother, I enrolled in the Ace Program at Queens College. In fact, many of our legislators today were able to earn their college degrees as a result of this opportunity; a program that recognized the needs of adult students, who had to juggle, families, jobs and their education.

Queens is fortunate to have five premier institutions in our borough, LaGuardia and Queensborough Community Colleges, Queens College, York College and CUNY School of Law award academic degrees from the associate through the doctoral level. Each school is a model for innovative and outstanding higher education. I am privileged to work throughout the year with the distinguished Presidents of these institutions, Drs. Eduardo J. Marti, Gail O. Mellow, Marcia V. Keizs, James Muyskens and Michelle Anderson, Esq., to support their efforts to maintain and enhance the educational opportunities for their students.

I thank you, the Trustees for giving the people of Queens this opportunity to express their hopes, and concerns about the development of the CUNY University system and its colleges. I look forward to hearing your suggestions and working with you to fulfill your dreams.

Sincerely,