Queensborough Loses Funding

Queensborough Community College (QCC) will be losing federal funding for their External Education Homebound Program, which provides higher education opportunities to disabled individuals as of today, August 31, putting the future of the program in serious jeopardy.
QCC has received funding for the program for nearly 30 years, and it has served as a model for the entire nation, according to Dr. Paul Jean-Pierre, associate dean of student affairs.
“They came up with a lot of unusual rationale for why they won’t fund us,” he said, citing that the U.S. Department of Education was not satisfied with the school’s proposal in its request for grant money.
Although funding is being cut this year, making it impossible for QCC to admit new students into the program, the college is committed to making sure that those students currently enrolled in the program continue to receive the resources necessary to complete their education.
“We are going to continue to service the students regardless,” Jean-Pierre said. The school has been working on a contingency plan in order to combat the expected loss in funds and has already made progress on a number of initiatives.
The Homebound Program utilizes state-of-the-art technology including computers, video conferencing, Softboards and cable television to allow teachers to communicate with students, without the students leaving their home.
QCC has had many students earn associate degrees in arts, sciences and applied sciences as well as a variety of certificate programs. Recent Homebound graduate Madeline Gomez earned her associate’s degree and is now moving on to pursue her bachelor’s.
“This program is an equalizer,” she said. “It changes lives, and I am living proof that it works. It will be a sad day if this program is not able to function.”
QCC is not the only school in New York that is expected to lose funding for programs that are comparable to the Homebound Program. Eight colleges, including six City University of New York (CUNY) schools are likely to face similar funding cuts, according to Jean-Pierre.
If QCC loses the funding, the college plans to appeal. However, Jean-Pierre said the process is tedious and time-consuming, so he is not optimistic that funding will be restored.
pdavis@queenscourier.com