Newly Approved Home COVID-19 Tests Not Reliable
(Photo Credit: Shutterstock)
By Sally Barrilla
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 home tests on April 23 to ensure accurate and reliable sampling for people staying at home. But despite this legal authorization, several essential employees have mixed feelings about these home tests.
“These tests can easily lead to false negatives if not done correctly,” said Postpartum and Bronxcare Health System nurse, Ismarie Badillo. She believes the test will impact the number of people going to hospitals but does not think the test will provide much aid for anyone and says the home tests are a bad idea.
“Saliva test kits are fairly new and had emergency approval by the FDA,” she said. “However, most facilities are not using this form of testing because there is a lot of question about whether or not it is truly reliable.”
Other New York City nurses and lab technicians had mixed opinions about how successful the home tests will be in contrast to those done in hospitals.
“I am unsure of the validity of the test, but I believe it will influence hospital outcomes,” said Eliammy Tapia, an AmeriCare geriatrics home care and visiting nurse. “I think if people are properly taught how to perform the at-home test and patients follow through with all rules and regulations…it’ll decrease the exposure of the virus to both patients and medical staff [at hospitals], decrease chances of spreading, and in effect, decrease the number of hospital admissions.”
(Photo Credit- Sheppard Air Force Base)
Tapia continued, “Patients should be a high priority, and we should do the best we can to try and keep them safe at home and reduce exposure as they are more prone to end up hospitalized.”
NYC Health reported a total of 3143.63 positive cases in the Bronx, with an estimated contagion rate of 813.75 in hospitalizations and 247.39 in deaths per 100,000 people as of May 30, 2020.
According to the FDA, the COVID-19 home tests have now been officially authorized for use through one source, EverlyWell. However, kits and similar tests are available through prescriptions.
The test kit costs an estimated $109 and includes a Q-tip swab, saliva collection tube, and FedEx return label in a prepaid shipping envelope. The tests are limited to one per household and results will be available within 3-5 days, according to EverlyWell, the only home health testing company that now allows the COVID-19 home test to be shipped through its website.
FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn announced on the organization’s website that the authorization of home tests means that “there is now a convenient and reliable option for a patient sample collection from the comfort and safety of their home.”
However, some Lehman students also questioned the benefits of the home tests.
A Lehman student who tested positive for COVID-19 and asked to remain anonymous said, “The COVID-19 home tests may take longer than hospital tests. I don’t think the number of people going will lessen.”
Thomas McMahon-Owens, a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in professional communications said, “I believe that the COVID-19 home test kits will not reduce the influx of people going to hospitals. The main issue is the supply of test kits to individuals who may not be infected at the moment, but will possibly become so as lockdowns across states are lifted.”
In ‘Lost Girls’ Desperation Takes on a New Role: Motherhood
(Photo Credit: IMDB)
By Sally Barrilla
Originally a 2016 book of the same name, the new Netflix film “Lost Girls” translates well onto a screen with a slightly sinister, thrilling and dramatic vibe. Released on March 13, the film is based on a true story of the disappearance and unsolved murder of Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old Jersey City resident and sex worker whose mother, Mari Gilbert, fought hard for justice.
Starring Amy Ryan and Miriam Shor and directed by Liz Garbus, the movie begins with a chilling scene where Shannan runs away in evident terror from an unseen pursuer in a dark car. The scene then cuts to Mari, a struggling construction worker and mother, as she goes about her day. Mari gave Shannan to a foster home at the age of seven, since she couldn’t bear watching her suffer from both bipolar and eating disorders any longer.
After going back and forth between foster homes and her mother’s house, Shannan settles finally in New Jersey while her mother and sisters, Sherre and Sarra, live in upstate New York. Mari and Shannan’s past struggles affected their mother-and-daughter relationship, but a conversation early in the film where Shannan promises to visit for dinner, gives Mari hope of a loving meeting.
When Mari receives a mysterious call asking for Shannan, she decides to ask around the local neighborhood for Shannan’s possible whereabouts. Mari becomes hysterical upon learning her daughter is missing and begins knocking on strangers’ doors. This scene is rife with anxiety; viewers can feel Mari’s desperation as she realizes her daughter is gone.
Shannan’s death does not seem to be fully addressed; Mari has to enforce most of the investigation herself, rather than the police, who insist she’s making a big deal out of nothing.
The police assume Shannan may have simply drowned, but her mother thinks otherwise, believing that one person was responsible. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that it is Mari’s guilt for failing Shannan as a mother that fuels her to find her daughter.
(Photo Credit: The Wrap)
Refusing to back down and digging a little deeper, Mari discovers that Shannan made a 23-minute phone call on the morning of her disappearance, but the police took more than an hour to arrive at the scene. The police tell Mari that nearby residents claimed Shannan appeared to be on drugs, so they pressure her with questions about her relationship with her daughter.
Mari’s quest to find Shannan is fast-paced and adrenaline-filled, with new hurdles around every corner. However, the film lacks drama at some crucial moments, making it seem insincere due to some bad acting.
Mari’s drive to find her daughter is most convincing when she crosses paths with law enforcement and becomes heavily involved in the investigation.
Mari’s search extends across the course of a year and various obstacles; she was finally able to see her daughter again on Dec. 13, 2011, but not as she had hoped. Shannan’s remains and belongings were uncovered in a marsh only half a mile away from where she had originally disappeared in May 2010.
After numerous female bodies are found on the South Shore of Long Island and Oak Beach, a possible culprit emerges, officially known as the “Long Island Serial Killer.” The killer was disclosed to have murdered around a total of 10 to 16 victims. Yet, the murderer has never been charged nor identified, even in Shannan Gilbert’s case.
This film exemplifies that no mother is perfect, but once she discovers something has happened to her beloved offspring, all bets are off. Mari may be attempting to redeem herself from leaving Shannan in the past but just goes to show that a mother will do anything to protect her child.
The powerful message of this movie makes it worth seeing, but be warned that those who get sad or scared easily should approach with caution. “Lost Girls” is a haunted house ride - you may know what to expect, but there are still surprises around every corner.
“She won’t be forgotten,” said the real Mari Gilbert in a conference in Feb. 2016 shown in a brief clip at the end of the film, months before her unfortunate death. “And we are going to continue to fight as long as we need to until justice is served for our daughter.”
Lehmanites Link Harvey Weinstein's Conviction to Me Too Movement
(Photo Credit: Scott Heins/Getty Images)
By Sally Barrilla
Members of the Lehman community praised the March 11 verdict that sentenced Harvey Weinstein to 23 years in prison. Many credited it to the power of the #MeToo movement, while a few questioned why women only reported their abuse long afterwards.
On Feb. 24, the former film producer was found guilty of two out of five charges: committing a first-degree unlawful sex act with two women, Miriam Haley, a formerly known production assistant on “Project Runaway,” and Jessica Mann, an aspiring actress, and felony rape in New York, CNBC reported.
“I feel like there are many cases like Harvey Weinstein’s that probably aren’t talked about and that’s unfortunate,” said film and television studies senior and Lehman’s Film Club president Asia Brooks. “I’m okay with the results, but I still find the punishment for sexual assault and rape isn’t nearly what it should be,” she said.
English Professor Allison Amend agreed. “Weinstein knew what he was doing; those kinds of assaults almost never get reported.”
Sara Miranda, 60, accounting Lehman 1992 alumni also praised the verdict. “Many women have come forward, back then, women were exploited and not taken seriously, and many couldn’t say anything. He needs to pay for what he did. ”
Weinstein was exonerated from one count of first-degree rape and predatory sexual assault involving Mann and Haley due to the fact that the jury initially did not find “forcible compulsion” necessary for the first-degree rape charge, as reported by Insider.
The Daily Mail disclosed that Weinstein will not be eligible for parole for the next 23 years. His lawyer Donna Rotunno said she will file an appeal in July because she believes the trial was “totally unfair” to her client.
Many students felt the verdict confirmed the power of the Me Too movement. Brooks feels that the Weinstein case has helped diminish the remaining power that men have over women.
“I believe the Me Too movement is extremely important as a woman’s rights should not go unrecognized and women stand strong together,” she said.
Amend agreed. “I would like to think this verdict has had an impact on the Me Too movement,” she said. “It shows how it’s possible for women to get justice. The fact that he was convicted on criminal charges in the kind of case that didn’t used to be prosecuted.”
According to The New York Times, the Me Too movement caused more than 200 men to be fired from their jobs that 54 women and 70 men took over the positions, in total, 124 job replacements across the nation.
The Me Too movement has successfully resulted in seven convictions for four influential figures, including former actor and comedian Bill Cosby and French photographer Jean-Claude Arnault, as reported by Axios.
Some Lehmanites questioned the timing.
“It bothers me that so many women have decided to speak up now, although he was extremely wrong,” said Maribel Areas, a nursing freshman. “Why did so many women wait long to accuse him, especially now that he’s older and in a wheelchair? Many American women know their rights, they could have said what happened before, and now is when they do.”
These verdicts are not Weinstein’s first time being called to account. He was first accused by actresses including Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan back in October 2017, as reported by BBC.
Andrew Lopez, computer information junior, also questioned the validity of some women’s accounts. “A lot of men say they are scared to sit next to women because of this; there have been occurrences in which women have falsely accused men,” he said.
However, Lopez also feels women constantly experience sexual harassment, the majority of the time from a higher authority, and he called Weinstein’s conviction a “small victory for women”.
Lehmanites Condemn Racist Responses to Coronavirus Fears
(Photo Credit: Pixabay)
By Sally Barrilla
“Personally, I haven’t encountered any prejudice, but I have heard of some cases going around in New York City, like a taxi driver wouldn’t let an Asian lady in,” said Jayke Lim, an Asian-American Lehman computer science sophomore. “I understand the fear, but it’s not right to deny services to Asians thinking that they might have the virus.”
Increased fear of the coronavirus has sparked a number of xenophobic attacks. The New York Post reported that on Feb. 4, 2020, an Asian woman claimed she was attacked while wearing a protective mask in a subway station in Chinatown by a stranger who hit her on the head, pushed her into a wall and shouted insults.
Other Lehman students agreed that such behavior is unacceptable.
“I was in a CVS pharmacy when I overheard some people saying Chinese people are disgusting because they eat rare or strange foods. It's scary, but it doesn't have to make people hate an entire race,” said Lehman junior and English major, Marissa Morales.
“There’s no need for people attacking innocent people over the coronavirus,” said Jonathan Cruz, a Lehman biochemistry major.
(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The Bronx is home to less than 5 percent of New York City’s Chinese-American residents, according to the Asian American Federation. Queens houses 40 percent, Brooklyn-37 percent, and Manhattan-19.
Since its outbreak in December last year, most of those infected by the virus are in mainland China. As of Feb. 23, 2,470 people have died; 2,444 in China and 78,993 have been infected, according to CNN.
Currently, the United States has a total of 35 confirmed cases, according to National Public Radio, with seven people undergoing testing for it in New York. USA Today reported that the Center for Disease Control says the virus is “likely” to spread to the U.S. In the meantime, fears have spread much faster than the virus itself.
“I think when people hear the words ‘virus’ and ‘death toll’ they get freaked out,” said Jasmine Barber, an undeclared freshman at Lehman. “It is alarming that a lot of people are getting infected and killed within less than a month. Everyone’s best bet is to stay healthy and continuously wash their hands.”
“People have a tendency to freak out about things,” said Lehman English Professor Crystal Curry. “More people die of the flu, but perhaps it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”
Lehman’s Director of Public Safety, Fausto Ramirez, said via email: “CUNY asks its faculty and staff to be prepared to accommodate, to the reasonable extent possible, students and employees who are affected by this outbreak. If a student feels anxious or is worried about friends and family because of the news about coronavirus, CUNY encourages them to contact Counseling and Health Services or campus Student Services.”
“There’s no need for people attacking innocent people over the coronavirus.”
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio also warned residents to take precautions, including to immediately go to the nearest emergency room if flu-like symptoms arise and wash hands frequently.
Lim said he does not feel threatened on campus, and praised its inclusivity. “Lehman has always been supportive of all races, medical, personal, and other issues,” he said. “I’ve had friends and relatives ask me to send flu masks because there’s actually a huge shortage of flu masks in Asia right now. The fear in Asian countries is a lot higher than it is here, though.”
Lehmanities' Jaded in Aftermath of College Bribery Scandal
Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli and Felicity Huffman, parents involved in the infamous college admission scandal. (Photo Credit: CNN)
By Sally Barrilla
Nine months after the college admissions scandal broke, 50 parents have been charged with bribery. This includes notorious actresses, Lori Loughlin, known as the iconic Aunt Becky of “Full House” and “Fuller House,” and Felicity Huffman from “Christmas with the Kranks” and “Cake.” But while Ivy League schools Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown and Dartmouth have weathered their bad press, Lehman students remain skeptical of the system it has exposed.
“The revelation was necessary and these celebrities should certainly pay the price, but it shouldn’t be much of a surprise since poor people usually get the short end of the stick,” said 56-year-old English major Thomas Behnke. “Even though the percentage of rich people has increased with more people of color from 20 years ago, it’s completely unfair.”
“It's pathetic how Lori Loughlin [is] basically letting the world know her daughter is incapable of getting into college on her own and she’s proving that money can speak volumes more than hard work,” said Lehman senior English major, Davidia Boykins. “Other students work hard, and just because she's rich doesn't give her the right to try to make her daughter be above other students. There are parents working three jobs or more trying to put their children through school all the way to college, and she's trying to financially bombard her daughter into a college.”
The sums of the bribes reveal the steepness of U.S. income inequality. Former chief executive of PIMCO, Douglas Hodge, recently admitted giving admissions staff $500 million dollars to enroll his children in the University of Southern California, where Loughlin and spouse, fashion designer, Mossimo Giannulli, tried enrolling their daughters and lied about them joining the schools’ athletic team, according to New York Times.
Fox News reported that “Aunt Becky” faces a possible sentence of sixty years due to numerous charges that continue to rise.
Huffman, on the contrary, confessed paying to change her daughter’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) answers and was given only fourteen days in jail.
Some Lehman students think this scandal will cause many students of color and low income to be vulnerable to harsher college admission policies.
Some of the colleges where parents paid to admit their children. (Photo Credit: Crisis Magazine)
“Potential students can be overlooked for not having the same resources the college scandal parents had to support their children,” said English Honors student, Yenick Gonzalez.
Others disagreed. “I don’t think it creates much of an impact on students of color unless they went to those schools where that whole incident occurred,” said 28-year-old English major, Marissa Morales.
“I want to say this whole mess is outrageous, but I do believe this is an issue that has been known to people for a long time, and people just sealed their lips and turned the other cheek,” said junior, Kathryn Fornier, a studio art major with a minor in psychology. “I would like to think that this blatant exposure and public shaming of illegal and unjust activity will make waves and positively affect the lives of potential, hardworking, young students, especially those from families of color who are just trying their best to get an education and support themselves and their families.”
Bronx Female Celebs Shine in Feminist “Goodfellas”
‘Hustlers’ Movie Poster (Photo Credit: STX Entertainment)
By: Sally Barrilla
Audiences flooded theaters to see stars Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, and well-known Bronxites Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez in “Hustlers.” The film tells the story of Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), Diamond (Cardi B), and Destiny (Constance Wu), who desire success despite being extremely poor women of color.
Though there’s a heavy stigma surrounding stripping, “Hustlers” excels at humanizing its characters and shows stripping as a good way of earning money, especially for a diverse group of responsible and driven women of color. It rapidly became a hit, earning $121 million dollars at box offices worldwide as of Oct. 11.
This plot reverses the trope of the usual male cast, portraying a bunch of workers-turned-criminals. Instead, director Lorena Scafaria’s all-female cast emphasizes that women are as capable as men.
Their rise starts amidst the 2008 recession when they decide to work together to take their money-making struggles to the next level. These women’s decision to include rich white men in their scheme to earn some extra cash through the use of drugs classifies them as modern-day “Goodfellas.”
In one powerful scene, Ramona explains to Destiny her motive behind secretly drugging wealthy men and robbing them. Her views on how the world run includes that the poor are constantly oppressed. With a glare in her eyes, she tries to justify her actions to Destiny.
She argues that the poor end up losing more money than they gain, whereas most Wall Street employees take home more of the bacon. Attempting to prove that even in a capitalist society, money is the key factor that makes the world go round, Ramona tells Destiny that it is their time to shine with more money in their pockets.
Although Destiny is hesitant to participate in the scheme, she remembers her grandmother and young child, Lily, at home. Her house is about to be foreclosed on, due to lack of payments, which will leave her grandmother on the street. Since she cannot afford proper childcare for Lily, and does not have a college degree, Destiny has difficulty getting a job. As she clearly narrates her struggles, Destiny’s desperation along with Ramona’s words justify taking any necessary action to make some money.
“The way those women helped each other is how women, in general, should be building each other up and helping one another.”
Though Diamond, played by Cardi B, does not get much time on the big screen, she takes on a role as a caring, confident, and funny companion from the Bronx who also teaches Destiny how to work the pole and make clients come back for more. As a result of her colorful vocabulary, Diamond comes off as a rude person trying to make money, but the more of Diamond audiences see, the more hilarious she becomes. Her character doesn’t hinder other girls from making money nor from showcasing their skills; rather is she a fun-loving girl who is willing to cash in a few bucks any way she can.
Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez’s roles in the film symbolize how ordinary individuals can rise above their circumstances to make something of themselves, and Lehman students overwhelmingly supported their resilience.
Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez in ‘Hustlers’ (Photo Credit: STX Entertainment)
“I wanted to see the movie since the first time it was announced, and honestly, I think it shows strong women who were trying to make it the best way they could,” said 25-year-old senior English major, Davidia Boykins. “Yes, stripping is frowned upon, but some of the women in that movie have kids, so they're just trying to provide for their kids. The way those women helped each other is how women, in general, should be building each other up and helping one another.”
Lehmanites Question Petition to Troll Trump with Street Name Change
Trump Tower. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com)
By Sally Barrilla
A petition to rename the section of 5th Ave. that runs along Trump Tower after former President Barack Obama has gone viral, but Lehman students are divided on its impact.
Created by award-winning director and actor, Elizabeth Rowin via the sociopolitical advocacy platform MoveOn.org, the initiative calls for the stretch of 5th Ave. between 56th and 57th streets to be renamed President Barack Obama Avenue. By the end of September, it racked up 446,539 signatures.
Rowin claims that she was motivated to create the petition after reading an anti-Trump tweet and thought she could use the opportunity to poke fun at him. The British actress told the Washington Post, “Trump uses Twitter so much to tweet and bully people. I thought it would be fun to troll him back.”
Lehman students, however, are ambivalent about the name change protest.
“A name change isn’t going to wake people up to madness that’s happening nor will it urge people to vote or register to vote,” said English senior at Lehman, Davidia Boykins. “I think this will be an insult to Obama. Trump is work- ing his hardest to destroy everything Obama created and awaken more discrimination.”
““I feel like it will have very little to no impact in New York City, but it’s a big slap in Trump’s face, so go for it.” ”
“I can’t speak for all Trump supporters, but from what I’ve seen, Trump supporters can be pretty extreme. I can definitely see a big protest happening soon.”
At least one Lehman faculty member also pushed back on the proposal. “Naming a street after Obama, regard- less of Trump, seems wrong to me. Obama is a war criminal, an enemy of immigrants and the working class in general,” said philosophy professor Russell Dale. “It is part of the way United States’ society functions that a criminal like Obama is perceived and treated somehow gentler than some other criminal like Trump.”
Even if it has popular support, the petition might be challenging to pass in New York’s City Council, since according to USA Today, the honoree must already be deceased in order for a street to be named after them.
Meanwhile, New York City Council Speaker and City Council Member of District 3, Corey Johnson, a well- known fan of Obama, like- wise does not support the petition nor think it’s effective to oppose President Trump.
“I am not positive this is the best way. The Obamas epitomize class, dedication to public service and respect for the Oval Office,” Johnson told ABC News. “I’m pretty confident we can find a better way to honor the greatest president of my lifetime, than by trolling the worst president of my lifetime.”
Bronx’s University Avenue to be Named After Legendary Artist Stan Lee
Stan Lee (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
By Sally Barrilla
Bronx residents around University Avenue should expect to pass by the “Stan Lee Way” in the spring of next year. The street’s name change, which will cover the section between Brandt Place and West 176th St. in University Heights, was proposed by Bronx Councilmember Fernando Cabrera and accepted on July 23, 2019.
Stan Lee, a former New York resident, lived his teen years at 1720 University Ave. in the Bronx and studied at DeWitt Clinton High School, located a few miles away from Lehman. The American idol who gave life to famous Marvel characters, such as the Avengers, Spiderman, the Hulk, Black Panther and other iconic heroes, passed away on Nov. 12, 2018 in the city of Los Angeles.
A self-declared devoted fan of Stan Lee who grew up in his community, Cabrera said he was elated for his proposal to go through as a tribute to the late distinguished author, as reported by WNBC. “Stan Lee was a Bronx native who grew up in my district.”
Some Lehman students who admire Lee’s talents think his name gracing a street will bring honor to the Bronx.
“While I was not aware of the fact, he united a lot of superhero fans mainly in urban areas no longer having to hide their love for comics,” said English senior at Lehman, Otto Conde. “So, Stan Lee’s hard work and legacy shall live on in the Bronx, especially as a street name.”
Comic books produced by Stan Lee (Photo Credit: Lysa Vanible).
“I love his work. He created my favorite Marvel character, Spiderman. Peter Parker was a person who was from New York like Stan Lee and me,” said Lehman student Marissa Morales, an English senior specializing in elementary school education. “What fascinated me the most about the character was that he was an ordinary person learning from his new secret identity.”
Lehman faculty and alumni were also enthusiastic about the upcoming name change.
“I think it’s a great idea. The Bronx isn’t usually recognized for many things; people usually have negative concepts of the borough, such as dirty and unimportant,” said Lehman lecturer from the department of journalism and media studies, Ulises Gonzales.
Gonzales added, “Perhaps councilmembers could do more than just name a street after him. Maybe set up a comic book festival around the Bronx or the neighborhood where he grew up, so even more people can hear about all he did for the Bronx and in New York City.”
“Stan Lee was a good man who wrote a lot of things that helped inspire people’s dreams. Also, Lee was from the Bronx, so I’m really cool with it,” said Lehman graduate Alice Ivy, with a bachelor’s in English and philosophy. “He did a lot for our community and the number of tourists will increase, as well as gentrification, but in a good way. The Bronx will get more recognition if a street is named after him.”
“Mr. Lee’s amazing talent brought joy and entertainment to countless children and adults, and he deserves to be permanently memorialized in his home borough, the Bronx,” Cabrera said.
CUNY Has a New Latino Chancellor
By Sally Barrilla
On May 1st, 2019, Dr. Matos Rodriguez became CUNY’s first Latino chancellor.
Rodriguez, who is Puerto Rican and a former president of Hostos Community and Queens Colleges, was approved without opposition by CUNY’s fourteen-member board of trustees, students, and faculty.
Several Lehman students and faculty reacted positively to his appointment and wondered what changes he will bring to CUNY.
“I believe it’s wonderful for CUNY to appoint its first chancellor of color,” said Dr. Melissa Castillo Planas, an assistant professor of English at Lehman College. “My greatest hope is that this election brings a more effective leadership that rethinks and questions the culture at Lehman College that is largely ignoring its responsibilities as a Hispanic Serving Institution in terms of curriculum, advising and faculty hiring,” she added. “Also, I would love to see diversity movements that reverberate all throughout CUNY, especially Lehman.”
Lehman student Otto Conde also expressed excitement. “Color is a huge deal in the country; I think the impact depends on the town or borough the chancellor decides to focus on. Whatever area he chooses will help people of color to increase their experience and chances of finding work and economic stability in no time without a waitlist.”
Rodriguez has a master’s degree from Yale and a PhD from Columbia University, and is board chairman of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that aims to increase the enrollment of Hispanic students in higher education.
During his five and six-year presidencies of Queens and Hostos Community Colleges, his work was recognized to have transformed both communities for both students and faculty. He is also well known for expanding the minority students’ retention rate at both institutions which granted him several awards. Also, his commitment in reconstructing the way minority students view CUNY as a community increased his reputation, but it also ensured CUNY is helping students create achievements.
According to QNS, Rodriguez said, “I am deeply grateful and tremendously excited to lead the nation’s foremost urban public university, particularly at this time when our mission and commitment to excellent public higher education has never been more vital. This is an extraordinary opportunity for anyone who is passionate about the role CUNY plays in the lifeblood of the city, anyone who is deeply committed to opening the doors of educational excellence and economic and social mobility to all the people of New York,” said Rodriguez.