Flushing, NY – Today, State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced funding she has allocated to Queens College (“QC”) in the amount of $750,000. Of the $750,000, $500,000 has been designated for upgrading and maintaining the outdoor athletic track and $250,000 towards upgrades as part of QC’s Capital Plan. Rozic was joined by State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing), QC President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, and QC faculty and staff, Townsend Harris High School Principal Brian Condon, Townsend Harris Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services Veronica York, and John Bowne High School Assistant Principal Steve Perry for the announcement.

Assemblywoman Rozic said, “Queens College is a cornerstone of our community that provides quality, affordable education for students of all backgrounds and academic pursuits. As QC continues upgrading campus facilities, expanding degree programs, and building community partnerships, it is my privilege to provide funding that will allow QC to achieve its mission of serving students and the Queens community.”

State Senator Stavisky said, “The partnership between Townsend Harris High School and Queens College is an example of the blending of rigorous academic excellence, diverse talented, motivated students and faculty, and community service. The funding allocated by Assemblywoman Rozic will go a long way in providing Queens College and Townsend Harris students with improved athletic facilities.”

Queens College President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said “Assemblywoman Rozic – a Townsend Harris alumna – is a great friend of Queens College, and we can’t thank her enough for the allocation she announced today. By helping us upgrade our campus, and in particular the outdoor athletic track, she is improving facilities enjoyed by the entire neighborhood, including the students at Townsend Harris High School and John Bowne High School.”

David M. Gerwin, Professor of Secondary Education & Youth Services and Chapter Chair, Queens College PSC-CUNY said, “The Queens College chapter of the PSC-CUNY, the faculty and staff union, is pleased to be able to celebrate this announcement of significant funding for the Queens College capital plan. The elected officials here today, Assemblymember Rozic and Senator Stavisky, have been tireless champions for Queens College, and I have been impressed by how well they have received our students during Higher Education Lobby Day in Albany. President Matos has worked hard in these tight budgetary times to ensure that Queens College continues to provide our students with a strong education and that faculty and staff participate in important research that develops new approaches to the many challenges we face in the 21st century.

It is our hope that the $750,000 funding announced here is just the beginning of a renewed commitment by NYS to CUNY and Queens College, to rebuild our physical facilities, to invest in our faculty and staff, to eliminate the ‘TAP gap.’”