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	Summer 2001

Board Chairman Badillo Resigns for Mayoral Race

n a letter to Governor George Pataki dated June 5, Herman Badillo submitted his resignation as Chairman and Member of the CUNY Board of Trustees, explaining, "I am running for Mayor of the City of New York, and I am circulating nomination petitions beginning today." In closing, Badillo expressed his hope that the City University will continue "to be the university of opportunity for New York City."

Accepting the resignation, the Governor praised Badillo, who served on the Board in 1980-82 and since 1990 (becoming Chairman in 1999), as "a true New York success story, having risen from immigrant roots to his position as one of our most valued members of the City University Board of Trustees. . . . On behalf of all New Yorkers, I sincerely thank Herman for his hard work, dedication and tireless advocacy and wish him all the best."

Responding to the decision, Chancellor Matthew Goldstein issued a statement thanking Badillo for his leadership. "All New Yorkers owe Herman a debt of gratitude for his extraordinary dedication to the educational mission of the University. During the past two years, I have worked very closely with him as we have made great strides toward turning the CUNY system around. Herman has been a champion of reform, taking on the tough challenges associated with changes necessary at all levels of the educational process."

Goldstein also noted that Badillo "has provided an important voice for the pre?kindergarten through higher education transition, including his strong advocacy for the College Now program and for the revitalization of our teacher education programs. As an alumnus who graduated with honors from the City College of New York, he invoked a special commitment to CUNY's vital role in fulfilling the aspirations and dreams of our student body. I wish him every success as he pursues his future goals."

Governor Pataki has asked Vice Chairman Benno C. Schmidt, Jr. to serve as Acting Chairman until a permanent replacement is designated.