Leaders Criticize City College’s Likely Choice for Next President

Note the term "former" in the description of people in the article. Who are the other signers of this protest, and what are their qualifications to select a university president?

It has been interesting to read comments on City College's likely Choice for Next President. It is obvious the flagship campus of the CUNY system has been facing difficulty, budgetary as well administratively for some time, if the recent news coverage has been accurate. From the comments written here, its troubles are not likely to be over soon. The NYT did not list all of the names of the 20 persons in the email, only 3 are mentioned and yet the email stirred some interesting passions and elitism. Including a comment that the College has been in trouble since it began open enrollment more than 40 years ago. Maybe some here are seeking a return to a past greatness that use to be or perhaps never was in the first place. One suspect a new look at the history of the City of New York and the United States of America might bring some much needed humility and honest reflection to these discussions.

The names of the leaders and an indication of what they lead is obligatory here, or an explanation why it cannot be included. Was anonymity requested?

There is glaring sexim going on. Throughout the article the possible future president is referred to as "DR. Boudreau" whereas the previous president is referred to as "Lisa S. Coico". She too is a Dr.!

CCNY is my Alma mater and I worked there for 13 years. Vince Boudreaux is an excellent choice and a breath of fresh air for this college. I have never seen a more competent person in line for this position. I’m truly upset by the character smearing I see coming from people who either do not know him at all or have encountered him once. All I can say, is that these people have the wrong impression. Mr. Boudreaux is a person of rare integrity, gifted with excellent leadership skills, and a long history of dedication to City College. CCNY should be so lucky to have him accept this gig full-time.

As head of the CP school, Boudreau showed interest and concern for his students. On this occasion, however, he told a desperate graduate student that he could no longer help him, as he was now the President, that students did not belong in the President's office, and he should leave--all the while Boudreau was physically ushering the student toward the door. This student's disillusionment, when he told me, was palpable. He'd been rejected by a hero and a mentor, one who'd personally indicated he was a champion for students in this position. At a religious (Jewish) event on campus, Boudreau was invited to speak. He chose to speak about himself, with regard to a (then) fairly recent report of him rejecting a speaking engagement to be given by a former Israeli ambassador. This campus religious event had nothing to do with that report, nor with the ambassador, or Israel at all; it was a joyous affair. However, Boudreau decided to set his record straight, at the expense of those gathered for an honorable occasion. The embarrassing truth is that CCNY offered the presidency to at least one or two other candidates. They said no. Few are willing to take on such a quagmire. Yet, there are some who could and would jump in with both feet, and do their utmost to turn around this shamefully sinking ship, but Milliken seems intent on ignoring those obvious candidates. Boudreau is a poor choice--and also an "in person" with the former administration. Really? The search needs to continue.

Agree with most of the comments here. Also, can the NYT be more accurate in the headline here..."leaders"? Really? Leaders of what?

Sounds like kvetching from people desperate to remain "relevant".

City College of New York is a city college. It is not a community college. If it was a community college, Harlem is changing, as evidenced by the election in 2016 of the first non -African-American congressman in over seventy years.

I met Dr. Boudreau in person several time during graduation this spring (I just completed a Masters of Science at CCNY) and I was genuinely moved by his commitment to CCNY's role in shaping better futures for New Yorkers. Dr. Boudreau understands that it is the vital role of CCNY to help immigrants and the disenfranchised and the entire multicultural mix that is New York City learn and grow and become effective and successful New Yorkers. I was moved to tears by Dr. Boudreau's remarks during graduation, and proud to follow in my immigrant grandfather's footsteps as an alumnus of CCNY. Dr. Boudreau will do more for NYC's diverse communities than any outsider. Dr. Boudreau is more than worthy for this post, he is an inspired leader and CCNY and the whole city will be the better for his service as president.

Why is the referenced email not seemingly posted. We deserve to know all 20 individuals who are representing themselves at the "community."

Imagine! An academic appointment made without the input and concurrence of a group of "community leaders," that is, people who the late Mayor Wagner referred to as "peanut politicians," people who are without any academic or scholarly credentials. Why not be honest: they are opposed to Dr. Boudreau because he is "white." The use of character assassination by these people indicates that Trump has no monopoly on this sort of behavior. The fact that the university just happens to be located in Harlem does not mean that local power magnates should dictate who manages the school.

This is what ruined City College more than 40 years ago ... the demand to "forge nurturing and meaningful bonds with the surrounding community" over the need to educate well prepare students who could succeed. Open admissions ruined this once great institution.

The "Community" has a say in who will be the next President of City College? Or do they just have their hands out.

In an era when more and more college presidents are former politicians, business executives or career administrators, it is a rare pleasure that CCNY selected in Vincent Boudreau an actual academic for president. It is unfortunate that a group of retired politicians would try to sabotage this selection because they feel insulted at not having been consulted. City College is a college for all of New York City. It should not be a honey pot for politicians who happen to live near the campus.

Given the signatories to the letter it is not hard to figure out exactly what the complaint about Dr. Boudreau is really about.

Dr. Boudreau is likely to be CCNY's permanent President--"Oh, Good!!" is my first reaction. I've worked at CCNY for 29 years and Dr. Boudreau has been the best communicator, the best dealing with threats to our DACA students, the best to encourage unity and strength, "a refuge and a source of wisdom on questions of racial, religious and gender fairness...for whatever reason the climate shifts against these values outside our campus, we are obliged to reaffirm them within it." I forward his letters to my friends outside of CCNY and they forward his letters to their friends. Dr. Boudreau has been just what CCNY needs and I hope he continues permanently.