PSC Backs Thompson, Citing Platform on CUNY Upgrades

BARBARA BOWEN: Won over by Thompson’s plans. The Professional Staff Congress announced its endorsement of William C. Thompson for Mayor Oct. 26, with President Barbara Bowen citing his recent five-point plan for the City University of New York as the reason for the late decision.

Ms. Bowen had previously stated that the union, which represents Professors and other instructors at CUNY, would not endorse a candidate because Mr. Thompson had not displayed “public leadership. . . on higher education issues.”

Pledges Funding Increase

But Mr. Thompson’s five-point plan for CUNY, which included pledges for an increase in funds to schools, a campaign to secure benefits for adjunct and part-time faculty, and programs to help students pay for college, tipped the balance for the PSC.

“With the five-point plan for CUNY released last week, Thompson has announced, in a way the Republican candidate has not, tha t he sees CUNY as central to the life of the city,” Ms. Bowen said in a statement. “Thompson has presented the kind of plan PSC delegates had expressed a hope to see. . . he recognizes that now more than ever—with record high enrollments— restoring CUNY’s budget must be a priority.”

Mr. Thompson’s plan also includes a pledge to “boost CUNY’s full-time staff” with funding increases and link colleges to high schools to provide better access to higher education for the city’s public school students.