The Campus Community,
Please find the Division of Finance & Administrative Services Updates.
Human Resources:
I would like to share an important update regarding the Human Resources Department.
Effective Monday September 11, 2026 Carmel Boyle, will be transitioning from her role as Director of Human Resources. On behalf of the campus community, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for her dedication, professionalism, and many contributions to the University. We wish Carmel continued success in her future endeavors.
During this transition, Shane Ayers, will serve as Interim Director and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department, Virginia Rodriguez will assume additional duties. The department remains committed to providing the highest level of service and support to our faculty, staff, and students.
We are confident that the Human Resources team will continue to advance its important work while ensuring a seamless transition. Additional information regarding the permanent appointment will be shared as it becomes available.
Please join me in thanking Carmel for her service and in supporting the Human Resources team during this period of transition.
Budget Update:
The College submitted its FY2027–FY2030 Financial Plan to CUNY. The plan, along with the FY2027 Strategic Initiatives, will be reviewed at the upcoming Senate Resource Committee meeting. The College also submitted its FY2027-FY2030 Financial Recovery Strategy which provides a comprehensive roadmap to eliminate the structural budget deficit and restore long-term fiscal sustainability by FY2030. The strategy integrates sustainable revenue growth, disciplined expense management, operational efficiencies, and strategic investments in enrollment, student success, and revenue-generating initiatives.
Key components of the strategy include increasing enrollment and retention; expanding auxiliary enterprises; reestablishing continuing education and workforce development programs; increasing external grants and philanthropic support; maximizing the use of non-tax-levy resources; and implementing targeted cost-control measures.
The strategy is operationalized through three primary areas:
- Cost Management and Budget Controls
- Six Financial Pillars
- Academic Affairs Cost Optimization
Additional information on the FY2027-FY2030 Financial Recovery Strategy can be viewed at the following link: https://www.york.cuny.edu/administrative/financial-planning-and-budget/budget/charts
Buildings & Grounds Update:
Summer project 2026
- ACB 2nd & 3rd and 2nd floor areas walls were lamination and painting
- Relocation of Security desk in the ACB, Liberty Avenue and 160st entrances
- HPEC front facade painting
- Classroom and lecture hall painting
- 2nd floor video wall upgrade
- Installed new monitors in the Atrium
Environmental Health & Safety:
Please welcome Mr. Christopher Enright, the campus’s new Environmental Health and Safety Director (EHS). Mr. Enright will start his new role on September 21, 2026. Mr. Enright comes to us from SUNY and has years of experience working in EHS. We are looking forward to having Mr. Enright on our team to help us maintain and improve compliance with EHS regulations. Also, in helping our campus implement new initiatives for improved adherence to sustainability requirements.
Facilities Update:
Construction work has started in the Classroom and Science Buildings. The projects will replace the roof, windows, exterior doors, interior ceilings, waterproof exterior facade at Classroom Building, and replace rooftop heating and cooling equipment.
Work will start at the Classroom Building. While work is ongoing in the Classroom Building, after a few months’ work will start in the Science Building. The campus community will be updated when work is imminent at the Science Building. Anticipated duration for work at each building is 24 months. With overlap but on different timelines overall project completion at both buildings is anticipated in 3 years.
The Queens High School for the Sciences (QHSS) at York College has moved to a new Board of Education (BOE) building at 165-18 Hillside Avenue. Considered one of the best High Schools in NYC, we are excited with their growth and wish them well on future prospects. Space made available by the QHSS move will be used as temporary swing space while we continue our campus wide capital improvements.
IT Information Technology Update:
- Fall 2026 Readiness: Prepared classrooms, labs, student-support technology, computing resources, and core infrastructure for the opening of the academic year while maintaining six-day operational support coverage.
- QLess / Student Service Modernization: Advanced the transition to the new QLess Tempo environment and redesigned service structures to provide more meaningful service-level data, improved student routing, appointments, check-in options, and stronger daily reporting across participating departments. (Ongoing)
- Network & Wi-Fi Modernization: Continued major network infrastructure improvements, including core and building connectivity, high-speed optical infrastructure, wiring-closet modernization, and preparation for expanded wireless coverage including new wiring racks in many closets and new fiber lines installation for all buildings.
- Cybersecurity & Compliance: Continued deployment and maturation of cybersecurity controls, vulnerability management, endpoint protection, MFA/VPN security, monitoring, and preparation for the annual CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness campaign.
- Telecommunications Modernization: Advanced modernization of the College’s legacy telecommunications environment, including the transition from PRI to SIP and continued evaluation of more flexible voice and mobility solutions.
- Emergency Facilities Support: Responded to summer relocations of the including rapid deployment of temporary network and technology infrastructure to maintain College operations.
- Student-Facing Technology: Continued modernization of student-facing technology, including QLess kiosks, QR/mobile check-in capabilities, ID scanning, Welcome Center services, loaner technology, and support processes.
- Service Management & Automation: Continued expansion of structured electronic workflows and service-management practices using platforms including ServiceNow and KACE, reducing reliance on email-based processes and improving accountability and tracking.
- AI & Analytics: Continued development of York’s internal AI and analytics capabilities, including YorkGPT, governance planning, student-service analytics, and exploration of secure institutional AI use cases.
- Student New Email- supported all students at York with new email transition including MFA setup by providing dedicated area at the Student Government Lab.
Public Safety Update:
York College continues to make significant progress in modernizing campus safety and security infrastructure. The College is moving forward with a major upgrade to its CCTV and access-control systems, including approximately 240 new and upgraded security cameras, 150 wireless electronic locks, and 80 additional card readers, all operating through Motorola’s Avigilon Alta platform. The new access-control system will also bring our already-installed entrance turnstiles fully online, with overall project completion anticipated for Spring 2027. In addition, the College is advancing several complementary safety initiatives, including the installation of new emergency call stations/intercoms, expansion of campus public-address capabilities, and continued collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian and traffic safety along Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and other areas surrounding campus.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Best Wishes for a productive Semester.
Thank you,
Eduardo Rios
Vice President for Finance & Administration
Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Facilities Officer
Office: 718-262-2104
Cell: 929-720-2167
Email: erios9@PROTECTED
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Jamaica, NY, 11451.