City University of New York (CUNY) Law School is trading in its digs in Flushing for six floors in a building at Court Square in Long Island City.
The Board of Trustees recently approved the proposal, which will give the CUNY Law School an additional 70,000 square feet of space compared to its current location near Queens College. In addition, CUNY will own a condominium interest in a 14-story environmentally green building at 2 Court Square, and Citigroup will keep ownership of the rest of the building.
“A move to this terrific new location will greatly enhance our ability to carry out our mission to diversify the legal profession and to train the next generation of public interest lawyers,” said CUNY Law School Dean Michelle Anderson.
Although the move will not officially take place until the fall of 2011, the decision to move comes at a time when enrollment is up 20 percent this year compared to last year. In addition, the pass rate for students taking the New York State Bar exam is also at an all-time high.
“This new facility will assure that CUNY Law School is marvelously positioned to achieve new heights, both academically and in fulfillment of its vital public service mission,” CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein said in a statement.
One of the biggest advantages of the new location that officials are touting is the mass transit accessibility options for its students. The Long Island City site is located within walking distance from city subway and bus lines as well as the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
“The easy commute to this new location creates more opportunities for our students to connect with the legal community and internships throughout the five boroughs,” Anderson said.
Local legislative leaders including Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who has been working with CUNY to help it facilitate the move to Long Island City, expressed support for the move.
“The move to Long Island City will continue the revitalization of that entire area, which is undergoing dramatic growth in housing, retail and educational opportunities,” Marshall said. “The site is convenient to mass transit and will provide more space in an environmentally-friendly building with modern infrastructure to meet the needs of a new generation of students.”
