CSI/CUNY News Release
	For Immediate Release

Mayor appoint CSI president to Women's Issues commission

Staten Island, NY – July 26, 2004 – Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently announced the appointment of Marlene Springer, President of the College of Staten Island, to the New York City Commission on Women's Issues. Dr. Springer's appointment is effective immediately.

The Commission on Women's Issues (formerly the Commission on the Status of Women) was established by Mayoral Executive Order in 1975 as an advisory body to the Mayor on matters impacting the lives of women in New York City. The Commission also oversees the agenda and activities of the Women's Advisors Program, established in 1975 to promote equal rights and opportunities for women in city government.

"It is critical in the rebuilding and revitalizing of New York City to focus on the needs of women. We have the responsibility to set standards of excellence with the quality of support we give to the women of New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Commission is composed of a unique group of individuals dedicated to bringing about positive change for women in our great City. This Commission will work to positively impact women in many aspects of their lives."

"The Commission on Women's Issues is an important component of the City, its history, and its future," commented CSI's President Springer, "and I look forward to collaborating with my fellow members on the Commission. As a lifelong educator and proponent of women's rights, I am proud to serve on this Commission and deeply believe in its mission to develop and promote initiatives that expand career choices and other opportunities for women. Commissions such as this serve as an important catalyst for change by making recommendations to the Mayor for implementing public policy designed to improve the lives of women.”

In his appointment letter, Mayor Bloomberg extended his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Springer for sharing her talents with the Commission, saying “I am certain the Commission will benefit from your participation, and I hope you will find your experience to be personally rewarding.”

 
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Springer is the President of the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York. She is the recent author of “Dollars and Degrees: Who Should Pay for Higher Education?” in The New York Times, September 2003. Prior to her appointment, she was Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at East Carolina University. A specialist in nineteenth-century British and American literature and women's literature, Dr. Springer earned her PhD in English Literature and her MA in American Literature from Indiana University in Bloomington. Dr. Springer is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education and numerous other professional and civic organizations. She resides in Staten Island.

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban university. CSI offers 35 academic programs, 15 graduate degree programs, and challenging doctoral programs to 12,000 students.

The 204-acre landscaped campus of CSI, the largest in NYC, is fully accessible and contains an advanced, networked infrastructure to support technology-based teaching, learning, and research. For more information, visit www.csi.cuny.edu

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