New York City Council
Committee on Higher Education
Jun 10, 2024
·
02:00 PM
2 hr 8 min
Summary
A hearing examining the challenges faced by students transferring between CUNY's community colleges and 4-year institutions. Discussions focused on:
- Lost transfer credits not applying toward majors.
- Lack of faculty/staff knowledge about transfer policies
- Insufficient advising support
- Difficulties accessing resources across campuses
CUNY outlined initiatives to improve curriculum alignment, data tracking, transparency around credit transfers, and support during the transfer process, but cited budget constraints hindering full implementation.
Features testimony from CUNY administration, the Center for an Urban Future, faculty/staff union PSC-CUNY, student advocates, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Introduction to hearing on CUNY transfer student obstacles
Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education, introduces an oversight hearing addressing obstacles facing CUNY's transfer students. He acknowledges National Community College Month and highlights the …
0:00:28
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46 sec
Statistics on CUNY community college transfer rates and success
Council Member Dinowitz presents statistics about the gap between community college students' transfer intentions and actual outcomes. He cites a report by the Center for an Urban Future, highlighting the …
0:01:15
·
86 sec
Recommendations to improve CUNY transfer student success
Council Member Dinowitz presents seven recommendations from the Center for Urban Future report aimed at addressing the transfer problem at CUNY. These recommendations are directed at New York City and …
0:02:42
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129 sec
Hearing logistics and acknowledgments
Council Member Dinowitz concludes his opening remarks by providing information about the upcoming testimony and acknowledging various individuals involved in the hearing. He also outlines the procedures for testifying and …
0:04:52
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96 sec
Testimony by Wendy Hensel, Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost of City University of New York, on CUNY's Transfer Initiatives
Wendy Hensel provides an overview of CUNY's efforts to improve transfer processes for students. She discusses strategies implemented to address transfer challenges and emphasizes the importance of transfer in CUNY's …
0:06:32
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11 min
Data collection on transfer student intentions
Council Member Dinowitz inquires about CUNY's data on community college students intending to transfer to senior colleges. CUNY representatives explain that they recently launched a new system to collect this …
0:18:27
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74 sec
Graduation rates for transfer students
Council Member Dinowitz inquires about graduation rates for transfer students. CUNY representatives provide data on transfer rates and graduation rates for students who transfer from associate to bachelor's programs. - …
0:19:41
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77 sec
Data collection systems and advisement tools
Council Member Dinowitz inquires about CUNY's data collection systems for monitoring transfer student experiences. CUNY representatives explain their current tools and future plans for data integration and automated support. - …
0:20:59
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162 sec
Challenges with advising and new technologies
Council Member Dinowitz questions how CUNY is implementing new advising technologies with limited advisors. CUNY representatives explain their strategies for using automation and peer support to supplement limited human resources. …
0:23:42
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5 min
ASAP program and budget priorities
Council Member Dinowitz emphasizes the City Council's support for CUNY's ASAP program and other initiatives that help students graduate in a timely manner. CUNY representatives briefly mention ongoing efforts to …
0:29:35
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104 sec
Transfer credit issues and curriculum alignment
Council Member Dinowitz raises concerns about transfer credits not counting towards majors. CUNY representatives explain their efforts to address this issue through curriculum alignment and faculty education. - On average, …
0:31:19
·
7 min
Discussion on ASAP and ACE programs and transfer process
Council Member Brewer inquires about the transfer process between ASAP and ACE programs. Vice Chancellor Alvero explains the differences in funding and program structures, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen alignment …
0:38:51
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63 sec
Tracking student success after transfer from ASAP
Council Member Brewer raises concerns about student success after transferring from ASAP programs. Vice Chancellor Alvero confirms that CUNY is tracking and comparing outcomes between schools with ACE programs and …
0:39:54
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21 sec
Workforce development initiatives for transfer students
Council Member Brewer inquires about the role of workforce development in CUNY's transfer programs. Executive Vice Chancellor Hensel and Vice Chancellor Alvero explain various initiatives to integrate career planning into …
0:40:21
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3 min
Course availability and ePermit system for transfer students
Council Member Brewer inquires about course availability for transfer students, particularly in light of budget constraints. Executive Vice Chancellor Hensel explains CUNY's efforts to address this issue through the ePermit …
0:43:52
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75 sec
Faculty ratios and AI implementation in course scheduling
Council Member Brewer inquires about faculty ratios and the potential use of AI in course scheduling. Executive Vice Chancellor Hensel explains the current state of faculty ratios and CUNY's plans …
0:45:07
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80 sec
Discussion on data collection for student intentions and experiences
Council Member Dinowitz questions CUNY officials about data collection on student intentions and experiences, particularly regarding transfer students. The discussion reveals that CUNY had conducted a one-time survey funded by …
0:46:28
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153 sec
Efforts to improve transfer credit acceptance and curriculum alignment
CUNY officials discuss their efforts to improve transfer credit acceptance and curriculum alignment between community colleges and senior colleges. They explain the process of creating faculty groups to review and …
0:49:03
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6 min
Use of technology and AI in the transfer credit process
CUNY officials discuss their plans to use artificial intelligence and other technologies to streamline the transfer credit process and improve student communication. They highlight the development of an AI tool …
0:55:53
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11 min
Support services for transfer students at CUNY institutions
CUNY officials discuss the varying support services available for transfer students across their institutions and their plans to standardize and improve these services. They highlight the importance of early intervention …
1:07:08
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151 sec
Transparency and public access to transfer information at CUNY
CUNY officials discuss their plans to improve transparency and public access to transfer information. They emphasize the importance of clear communication and easy access to transfer maps and success rates. …
1:09:40
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151 sec
CUNY's approach to modeling transfer success
CUNY officials discuss their approach to improving transfer success by looking at both external higher education institutions and internal successes within the CUNY system. They highlight their research and collaborations …
1:12:12
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105 sec
CUNY's response to Center for Urban Future report recommendations
CUNY officials discuss their thoughts on the recommendations from the Center for Urban Future report on improving transfer student success. They highlight areas of agreement and explain their approach to …
1:13:57
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4 min
Testimony by Eli Dvorkin, Editorial and Policy Director of Center for an Urban Future, on CUNY transfer students
Eli Dvorkin, from the Center for an Urban Future, presents testimony on the challenges and opportunities for CUNY transfer students. He emphasizes the importance of improving the transfer process to …
1:20:56
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3 min
Identifying the biggest obstacle for CUNY transfer students
Council Member Eric Dinowitz asks Eli Dvorkin to identify the single biggest factor or obstacle facing transfer students at CUNY. Dvorkin points out the lack of knowledge about the transfer …
1:24:13
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93 sec
Addressing the need for faculty education on transfer requirements
Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Eli Dvorkin discuss the importance of educating CUNY faculty on transfer requirements and processes. Dvorkin acknowledges CUNY's efforts to address this issue but highlights the …
1:25:46
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94 sec
CUNY's performance on transfer student success compared to other universities
Eli Dvorkin discusses how CUNY compares to other universities and college systems when it comes to transfer students. He notes that while the transfer problem is widespread, CUNY has made …
1:27:20
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45 sec
Proposals for altering CUNY's systems to improve transfer student outcomes
Eli Dvorkin discusses potential ways to alter CUNY's systems to better address the problems identified in his report on transfer students. He emphasizes the need for city investment in operationalizing …
1:28:06
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112 sec
Financial benefits and metrics of transfer programs
Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Eli Dvorkin discuss the financial benefits and metrics of transfer programs, comparing them to successful programs like ASAP. Dvorkin acknowledges that while rigorous studies like …
1:29:58
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109 sec
Additional recommendations for improving transfer student success at CUNY
Eli Dvorkin discusses additional recommendations from his report to ensure the success of transfer students at CUNY. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach and increased resources. - Highlights …
1:31:47
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157 sec
Implementation of the transfer accelerator program at CUNY
Eli Dvorkin elaborates on the proposed transfer accelerator program and how it could be implemented within CUNY. He envisions it as an embedded program that mobilizes city resources to support …
1:34:25
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113 sec
Potential use of AI and chatbots in CUNY transfer student advisement
Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Eli Dvorkin discuss the potential use of AI and chatbots to assist with course alignment and student advisement in the transfer process at CUNY. Dvorkin …
1:36:18
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103 sec
Testimony by Onyekachi Okeke, youth advocate from Young Invincibles, on CUNY student resources
Onyekachi Okeke, a senior at Hunter College and alumna of Borough of Manhattan Community College, testifies about the challenges faced by CUNY students in accessing resources and support services. She …
1:40:04
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3 min
Council Member Dinowitz addresses challenges in accessing CUNY resources
Council Member Eric Dinowitz responds to Onyekachi Okeke's testimony, acknowledging the ongoing issues with resource accessibility in the CUNY system. He emphasizes how students often struggle to find and access …
1:43:59
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78 sec
Testimony by Ibrahim Xavier Johnson, CUNY alumnus and veteran, on his experience at Lehman College
Ibrahim Xavier Johnson, a graduate of Lehman College and army veteran, shares his positive experience as a transfer student at CUNY. He emphasizes the commitment and support he received from …
1:45:20
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120 sec
Council Member Eric Dinowitz responds to testimony on CUNY experience
Council Member Eric Dinowitz briefly responds to Ibrahim Xavier Johnson's testimony, expressing appreciation for the success story shared about Lehman College. - Dinowitz notes that Lehman College is located in …
1:47:21
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16 sec
Testimony by Jen Gaboury, First Vice President of PSC CUNY, on CUNY faculty workload and advising challenges
Jen Gaboury, the newly appointed First Vice President of PSC CUNY, testifies about her experiences as a faculty member and advisor at Hunter College. She highlights the challenges faced by …
1:47:39
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3 min
Discussion on faculty training requirements and workload at CUNY
Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Jen Gaboury discuss the lack of formal training requirements for CUNY faculty, particularly in relation to the transfer process and advising. Gaboury emphasizes the need …
1:51:17
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144 sec
Impact of insufficient advisors and faculty on CUNY students
Jen Gaboury elaborates on the challenges students face due to insufficient faculty and advisors at CUNY. She describes how these shortages affect students' ability to enroll in necessary courses and …
1:53:41
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3 min
Discussion on required faculty trainings and syllabus posting at CUNY
Council Member Eric Dinowitz inquires about specific required trainings for CUNY faculty and the requirement to post syllabi online. Jen Gaboury provides information on the limited mandatory trainings and the …
1:56:54
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122 sec
Testimony by Sharon Brown on transfer students and education issues
Sharon Brown, a member of the public, provides testimony on various education-related topics, focusing primarily on the challenges faced by transfer students and the need for better information about scholarships …
1:58:56
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3 min
Testimony by Jared Martino, New York Youth Advisory Board Member of Young Invincibles, on college transfer process challenges
Jared Martino, a graduate student and coordinator at Bond College of Aeronautics And Technology, testifies about the challenges in the college transfer process. He emphasizes that transfer students often face …
2:03:24
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3 min
Conclusion of the hearing on college transfer process
Council Member Eric Dinowitz concludes the hearing on the college transfer process, thanking CUNY, Senator Ford, and all who testified about their experiences with transferring and transfer credits. - Dinowitz …
2:07:04
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74 sec