QUEENS — Jamaica's York College, which for decades has been providing local students with affordable education, will soon be able to upgrade its outdated labs, classrooms and computer network, thanks to a $4 million allocation by several elected officials.
The college, located at 94-20 Guy Brewer Blvd., is part of The City University of New York (CUNY) system and is the only institution of higher learning in downtown Jamaica.
The school will receive $2 million for fiscal year 2016 from local Councilman Daneek Miller and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to upgrade its laboratory and classroom space in the Science and Modern Languages departments. The improvements will provide the college “with the latest technology and teaching devices,” according to Miller.
York will also get $2 million from the Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus to upgrade its information technology and computer network, including replacing its old telephone system. The upgrades will also help improve the college's mass-notification system.
“York College is a longstanding institution within our community,” said Miller, who has been pushing for additional funds for the school since he began his first term last year. “We work closely with the college to ensure that the needs of students and staff, families and the community are met.”
In the previous fiscal year, the school received $1.4 million from the Queens delegation to upgrade the theater and dressing room at its Performing Arts Center, as well as $1.7 million to renovate its classrooms from Miller, Katz and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, according to Miller's office.
“Southeast Queens deserves a first class institution of higher learning that reflects this community,” said Miller, who represents Jamaica, Cambria Heights and St. Albans.
"These projects will enhance our ability to retain young scholars and continuing learners in Southeast Queens and attract students and academics from across the City and region.”
