"Our students come from working-class backgrounds, are immigrants or the children of immigrants and are blazing new trails as the first in their families to attend college. Coming from 142 nations and speaking 94 different languages, they bring rich life experiences and reflect the vibrant mix of cultures that make our campus and the borough so unique. Our students also juggle jobs, care for family members and navigate complex responsibilities, all while showing incredible drive and resilience in pursuit of their degrees."
"But one persistent barrier Brooklyn College students face isn't academic: it's geographic. The campus resides in the heart of the huge borough but draws students from every corner of New York City and beyond. Our students from Queens, Long Island and other distant locations endure punishing commutes - sometimes 90 minutes or more each way - just to get to class. These long journeys steal time from working, caring for family and resting. For some, extended commutes end up forcing them to drop out."
"Supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the MTA's Interborough Express (IBX), a 14-mile rail line connecting Bay Ridge in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens, will do more than improve transit; it will unlock opportunities. For our students and those across CUNY, it's not just a train. It's a lifeline. Connecting underserved neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Queens will make college more accessible to thousands of people."
Brooklyn College students come from working-class backgrounds, include immigrants and children of immigrants, and represent 142 nations speaking 94 languages. Many students juggle jobs, caregiving, and other responsibilities while pursuing degrees. Geographic barriers create punishing commutes—sometimes 90 minutes or more each way—that consume time, increase strain, and can force students to drop out. The MTA's 14-mile Interborough Express (IBX), supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would connect Bay Ridge and Jackson Heights and link underserved neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Queens. Improved transit would expand college access, allow students to choose institutions by fit, and support CUNY's role as a gateway to economic mobility.
#higher-education-access #public-transit-infrastructure #student-commuting-challenges #economic-mobility
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