Reflections on the New Academic Year By Presidents & Experts
The College of Staten Island Reaching
New Heights
By President Tomás D. Morales
This new academic year, we welcome to campus 27 new faculty members. They join a professoriate already widely recognized for its scholarship, research expertise and pedagogical skill.
Drawn by the quality of our faculty, our enrollment continues to surge. We are welcoming more new students to the College of Staten Island than at any time in our history. This enrollment increase of approximately 5 percent reflects admirably on the education provided at the College of Staten Island and strengthens our reputation as a center of academic excellence.
In response to suggestions from the College community, we are initiating a permanent shuttle service between the campus and the Staten Island Ferry. This free shuttle bus will reduce the number of motor vehicles coming to campus and speed the transit of students from their homes to the College.
This coming academic year will also see significant capital improvements on our campus. Staten Island’s elected officials, especially our New York State legislative delegation and City Council delegation, along with the Borough President, have secured more than $42 million in funds to advance a broad range of College of Staten Island projects. Additionally, the College continues to advance toward the creation of residential living on campus. Residence halls will be transformative for the College, providing students, faculty and staff with the astonishing experience of a green and gentle campus set in he most dynamic city in the world.
While we are immensely thankful for our elected officials’ dedication to the college, we also know that we face the challenge of a troubled national economy. As I have over the past year, I will work closely with the College’s Budget Committee, CSI’s Student Government and CUNY to help the College of Staten Island navigate through this economic downturn. In the months ahead, we continue to support and invest in the academic mission of the College.
Working together, I am confident we will emerge stronger than ever.#
