After serving as interim president of City College of New York (CCNY) for more than a year, Vincent Boudreau has been appointed the college’s permanent president.
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Initially, union officials on campus were dismayed when they learned Boudreau, who had previously served as dean of CCNY’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership and came to CCNY as an assistant professor of political science in 1991, was not in the running for the permanent choice despite being chosen as the interim leader. He was nevertheless considered for appointment late last year, but the CUNY Board of Trustees delayed his appointment in October after local politicians publicly criticized his pending appointment. CUNY announced Boudreau’s appointment in December.
Boudreau came to the interim position at a critical moment – he took over when then-President Lisa Coico abruptly resigned amid an ongoing investigation into financial improprieties at CUNY campus administrations.
UNION RESPONDS
PSC chapter members hailed Boudreau’s appointment as permanent president, citing his good leadership in relations with the union, and the fact that he is well suited to address issues of discrimination and inclusiveness on campus. Kathlene McDonald, PSC chapter secretary and chair of CCNY’s department of interdisciplinary arts and sciences, told Clarion that the chapter looked forward to working with Boudreau to “build a more diverse and inclusive campus, as well as to develop a strong stance against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation against faculty, staff and students.”
“He is one of us, and he will take CCNY through this turmoil period,” said City College PSC Chapter Chair Carol Huang. “Now that he has been appointed as permanent president, his attention can shift from internal troubles to seeking more external funding as all university presidents do. His appointment will enable him to carry out his vision.”
