CUNY’s College Discovery Program Scores an A, Comptroller Lander Reveals in New Audit & Student Survey
Program designed to assist students who might otherwise not be able to attend or graduate community college due to educational & financial circumstances
New York, NY— New York City Comptroller Brad Lander gave high marks to the City University of New York (CUNY)’s College Discovery Program in a new audit released today. The $3.9 million program boosts student retention and graduation rates for six of CUNY’s two-year colleges—Manhattan, Bronx, Hostos, Kingsborough, LaGuardia, and Queensborough. In a survey sent by auditors, 91% of responding students enrolled in the Discovery found the program to be effective in helping them graduate.
CUNY’s College Discovery Program is a nearly 60-year old program designed to provide academic, financial, and social support to assist capable students who might otherwise not be able to attend, remain enrolled at, and graduate community college due to their educational and financial circumstances. The audit’s scope covers a total of 3,857 students during the Fall 2019 through June 2022.
“For generations, CUNY has been the city’s greatest pathway to upward mobility and economic success—and the Discovery Program shows that a little bit of support goes a long way in enabling CUNY students to become the next generation of teachers, nurses, building operators, and technologists who will teach, heal, and build the future of our city,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “This audit finds that a small investment in a CUNY student’s education can give big dividends in return.”
For the Fall 2019 cohort, the retention rate for Discovery Program students across all six colleges exceeded the retention rate for the general student population, with Bronx and Hostos’ retention rate 15.5% higher and Kingsborough’s retention 12.5% higher. Bronx College Discovery Program students also had a graduation rate 12.5% higher than those not enrolled in the Discovery Program.
Auditors from the Comptroller’s office sent a survey to Discovery Program students enrolled between the Fall 2019 and Spring 2022. Of the 181 who responded, 164 students (91%) found the College Discovery Program overall to be effective in helping them graduate, with even higher rates for some of the individual elements of the Discovery Program:
- 95% found the Summer Bridge Program to be very or somewhat helpful.
- 95% found counselling services to be effective in preparing them to graduate.
- 93% found the tutoring services to be effective in helping students successfully complete their classes.
Auditors did find three areas where the College Discovery Program could use improvements:
- Assisting students with cumulative GPAs below 2.0 or in part-time status.
- Academic Plans for College Discovery Program were not prepared.
- Inaccuracies in recording when students leave the Discovery Program.
The Comptroller’s Cuts to CUNY report, released in May 2023, identifies cuts to CUNY in the recent City budget. Although New York State provides the majority of CUNY’s budget, the City contributes over $600 million, with more than 90% dedicated to CUNY community colleges. While $1.2 billion was allocated for Community Colleges (2-year) in FY 2023, the FY 2024 Executive Budget reflected $41.3 million annually in permanent cuts for FYs 2024-2026. Reductions in staff positions and fringe benefits account for $35 million of these cuts.
Given its strong performance and modest $2,205 per student expenditure, the Comptroller’s office recommends that CUNY expands the College Discovery Program.
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