REVISED
M E M O R A N D U M

							January 11, 2011

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Empire State College - 40th Anniversary

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas the year 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the State University of New York Empire State College, under the leadership of then Chancellor and future United States Commissioner of Education Ernest L. Boyer, and

Whereas the College begins the celebration 40 years of innovation in teaching and learning as it embarks on its future as New York�s leading institution of open learning, and

Whereas the College has been charged by Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher to take the lead in advancing �OPEN SUNY,� one of the 18 key initiatives of the University�s Strategic Plan, The Power of SUNY, and

Whereas the College�s own strategic plan Vision 2015 also calls for the expansion of education opportunities for all learners through inclusive, progressive programs and services, and

Whereas the College was modeled on �open� institutions of higher education located around the world to ensure that motivated adult learners have access to college programs regardless of their geographic location or time-limiting work responsibilities, and
Whereas during the last four decades, dedicated faculty and staff have steadfastly upheld the central hallmark of the College: its ability and willingness to support the individual learner; to value their acquired knowledge, and respect their personal, academic and career goals, and 

Whereas the College continues to provide variable ways to learn, such as independently, in small groups or face-to-face with a faculty mentor, or online; and to design degree programs that allow learners to attain their educational and career goals while also providing the flexibility for them to fulfill their personal and professional commitments, and

Whereas the College pledges to continue to support the relationship between students and their faculty mentors, which is at the core of our educational philosophy and mission: to define each member of our community as a learner, encouraging and appreciating their distinctive contributions, and

Whereas the College currently educates 20,000 students and now boasts more than 60,000 alumni, and

Whereas the College will expand its own reach far beyond its 34 locations around the State of New York, all the states in the nation and the 50 countries around the world where its students are working and studying, and 

Whereas in doing so, the College, working collaboratively with other SUNY campuses, will extend the global reach of SUNY, now, therefore, be it

Resolved the State University of New York Board of Trustees supports and encourages Empire State College as it takes a leadership role in advancing �OPEN SUNY,� and be it further

Resolved the Board supports and encourages Empire State College as New York�s leading institution of open learning, to expand its own reach far beyond its 34 locations around the state of New York, all the states in the nation and the 50 countries around the world where its students are working and studying, and to work with other SUNY campuses to extend the global reach for SUNY, and it be further

Resolved the Board of Trustees congratulates Empire State College on its history of innovation in teaching and learning and the continuation thereof, and offers support and encouragement as the college embarks on its 40th anniversary celebration.




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Board Resolution		January 11, 2011