New Queens College President Pulls Plug On AIDS Research Center

Ending months of speculation, The Queens Courier learned last week that a $30 million AIDS research center is not in the cards for Queens College. Interim Q.C. President Russell K. Hotzler said that the center, proposed by renowned AIDS pioneer Luc Montagnier in 1997, will not be built on Queens Flushing campus, as was originally planned.
"The money was not raised and it wasnt going forward," Hotzler told The Queens Courier in an interview last week. "We would still like to have a research center. But, it will not be for AIDS."
Former Queens College President Allen Lee Sessoms initially revealed that he would raise the majority of the funds through private donations. However, he came under fire by CUNY officials last year when he repeatedly said he had raised the entire $30 million, when he had not. Sessoms resigned in April, leaving office August 31.
Hotzler, who assumed the presidency in September, has proposed a plan that would devote the funds already raised for the AIDS center (reportedly $15 million), and use it to construct a medical research lab inside a refurbished Remsen Hall. Although not an AIDS center, the project will continue to be done in conjunction with Montagnier. The lab, which has yet to meet approval by CUNYs Board of Trustees, would focus on molecular and cellular biology and utilize the colleges faculty, which would do the primary research.
"Our objective now is to do the best we can, while maintaining a positive approach for the campus," said Hotzler.
The proposed medical lab is only one piece of Hotzlers master plan for Queens 80-acre campus. Powdermaker Hall, which houses nearly half of the campus classrooms is currently under massive reconstruction. Providing relief for many of Queens 17,000 students are several newly converted, albeit temporary, classrooms.
Renovations for Remsen Hall and the Fitzgerald Gymnasium, implementing raised admission standards, and providing additional parking spaces are also high priorities on Hotzlers checklist.
Another major change set to sweep Queens is the elimination of the colleges remedial courses. Phased out by CUNYs Board of Trustees, the classes are scheduled to be cut by fall 2001. "I dont think they have be eliminated altogether," proposed Hotzler, who believes remedial courses could be added to either Queens weekend or summer schedule.
He added that providing on-campus, student housing is not part of his master plan.
Rich in cultural diversity, with over 120 countries represented and over 60 languages spoken, Queens College has often been seen as a microcosm of Queens itself. However, providing a high-level education for such a distinct student body is not without its obstacles. "On one hand, thats what makes this campus so great," said Hotzler, "but it also puts restraints on us.We have to make sure we provide ESL [English as a Second Language] students with enough support and courses."
Hotzler believes that for all Queens College has going for it, the university lacks in mainstream visibility. "Queens is a well kept secret," he said. "We need to make people more aware of all we have to offer."
Entering his fourth decade of work at CUNY, Hotzler sees his current role as the pinnacle of his career. "This would be the high point of anyones career," he said.
"And, anyone who looks at it otherwise is a fool."