Queensborough Community College has announced the launching of a major effort to reach out to the Asian Americans who now call Queens home. Asian Americans comprise 25 percent of the student body at the college. This effort recognizes the role Chinese, Koreans and other Asian Americans play in places like Flushing.
The Asian Community Advisory Board is made up of 12 members who come from the local civic and business communities. They were appointed by President Diane Call, who consulted with the Flushing Chinese Business Association.
Jeffrey Chen, director of workforce and professional development, said the board will give the college a new opportunity to consult with the borough’s Asian-American community.
There will no doubt be borough residents who will be uncomfortable with increasing the influence of Asian Americans in Queens. Whether they like it or not, the number of Asian Americans will continue to grow. The advisory board will help everyone in Queens benefit from this growth.
A Sad Day for Public Education
A Manhattan judge has ruled that the mayor can move forward with his plan to close 22 city schools, including Jamaica and Beach Channel high schools.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Paul Feinman ruled Friday that the city Department of Education can close the schools despite opposition coming from the communities where these schools are in. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Manhattan-based crew have worn out their welcome. They have no idea what these schools mean to the communities they serve.
Bloomberg does not understand Queens or any neighborhood in what he calls the “outerboroughs.” The teachers union and the NAACP, which filed lawsuits attempting to block the schools’ closings, are not alone. Nearly every Queens elected official is opposed to the closings, as are thousands of parents and students. For the administration to pretend the opposition comes only from a small minority is dishonest.
We trust the NAACP and the teacher’s union will appeal the decision and delay this action until Bloomberg gets his walking papers.
