CUNY Chancellor Outlines Plan for Enrollment Growth and Career Development
CUNY chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez on Wednesday laid out a roadmap for expanding the university in the year ahead while reflecting on the enrollment growth at the 25-school system over the last year.
Enrollment Growth
At a state of the university address at the City College of Technology, Matos Rodríguez pointed out that university-wide enrollment is up for the second year in a row, with 3% more students matriculating this year than last — contributing to a 15,000-student gain over the past two years. The spike was particularly pronounced at community colleges, which saw a 6% increase. The number of graduate students also increased for the first time in four years, by 4%, or roughly a thousand students.
Recruitment Efforts
Matos Rodríguez credited the enrollment rebounds so far to CUNY’s partnership with the city’s public schools and the CUNY Reconnect program, which pairs prospective students who had previously departed from the CUNY system with advisors who help them navigate the re-entry process. Matos Rodríguez said the program has re-enrolled more than 40,000 students over the past two years.
Career Development
The chancellor also vowed to strengthen the university’s career development efforts — first and foremost by "ramping up our engagement and partnership with employers of every size in every field." More than 31,000 employers are now actively recruiting from CUNY schools, said Matos Rodríguez, while the university’s Spring Forward program has so far this year connected nearly 1,000 students — many of whom are in community colleges and early in their college careers — with internship opportunities, up 60% from last year.
School of Medicine
CUNY will also be transitioning its School of Medicine — established in 2016 as the first new medical school in the city since 1860 — out of City College and into the Graduate Center so it can stand alone as an independent college, he said.
Freedom of Expression Working Group
Matos Rodriguez also announced Wednesday that the university will be convening a "freedom of expression working group" to develop a set of university-wide policies to be submitted to the Board of Trustees to "consider the appropriate balance between the interest recognized by the First Amendment and the principles of academic freedom."
Faculty Contract Negotiations
However, Matos Rodríguez said little Wednesday to address faculty concerns about budget cuts and a prolonged contract fight. Members of CUNY’s faculty union, Professional Staff Congress, have been without a contract since February 2023, and negotiations have been ongoing since June of last year.
Conclusion
CUNY’s efforts to expand enrollment and strengthen career development will be crucial in the years ahead. The university’s commitment to free expression and academic freedom is also important for maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment.
FAQs
Q: What is the current enrollment situation at CUNY?
A: University-wide enrollment is up for the second year in a row, with 3% more students matriculating this year than last.
Q: What is the CUNY Reconnect program?
A: The CUNY Reconnect program pairs prospective students who had previously departed from the CUNY system with advisors who help them navigate the re-entry process.
Q: What is the Spring Forward program?
A: The Spring Forward program connects students with internship opportunities, with a focus on community colleges and early in their college careers.
Q: What is the status of the faculty contract negotiations?
A: Members of CUNY’s faculty union, Professional Staff Congress, have been without a contract since February 2023, and negotiations have been ongoing since June of last year.
