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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Wednesday Message


It seems somehow fitting that last night--just two days before Valentine's Day--MCC received approval from the Monroe County Legislature to purchase the Kodak properties for our new downtown campus. I can imagine no other gift that shows more appreciation and affection for our students, their dreams, and their tireless efforts to find a new and better home. I can think of no better way to honor the commitment of our DCC faculty and staff, who have devoted themselves not just to our students but to very public advocacy for a high quality learning environment. And, I can think of no sweeter moment for MCC than, after twenty years, to be able to say not "it's time to move," but we will move. Wow!

I owe huge virtual Valentines to so many who have been with us throughout the last few years of this process: students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, Monroe County legislators, the County Executive and her team, SUNY, and our many community advocates. Another goes out to our partners at Kodak who have given generously of their time and always opened their doors to us since the Board's recommendation in 2011. You all have truly had the very best interests of our entire community at heart with your support of the new campus. Getting to last night's vote has not always been a stroll through a field of roses, but you never wavered. Thank you!

So, what's next? Well, it probably goes without saying after celebrating the vote there will be ... more work!

Monroe County will now work to finalize acquisition of the Kodak property with the input of MCC. And, once that is completed, we will begin work on defining the specifications for the required RFPs (requests for proposals) around campus design and construction management (set within SUNY requirements). That first contract should be of great interest to the Damon community, so know that I will soon convene a group of DCC/MCC community members to help inform the design of the new campus. You have dedicated yourself to this project in its vision and its advocacy, and you will be at the table in its creation.

The move to the new downtown campus will occur in the 2016-2017 academic year, which in construction terms is just around the corner. I encourage you to continue following the progress on the downtown campus website and to look for periodic updates through the Wednesday Message and other sources.

Often I'm asked what makes MCC so special, I have a long list of things (as you might imagine), but at the very top is the deep affection that our community shows for the College. This affection shows itself in many ways, but last night, the Monroe County Legislature spoke for the entire community in supporting the new downtown campus--in showing its heartfelt belief in the college and our inspiring students. And, today, all of MCC is celebrating!

Please share your own thoughts regarding MCC's downtown campus on my blog.

Anne M. Kress
President's Office
02/13/2013