Mercy College absorbs College of New Rochelle
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49th Precinct remembers fallen P.O. Manuel Vargas, Jr.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M BTR ARCH 1-7, 2019 73
sources.
That Co-op City campus may be
closed because of Mercy’s Hutch
Metro campus’ close proximity, stated
Thompson.
“It’s up in the air right now,” he
said.
CNR representatives also explained
that Mercy’s 90 plus undergraduate
and graduate degree and certifi cate
programs within its fi ve schools align
well with CNR.
“The discussions are now focused
on fi nalizing an arrangement
with that institution that would meet
the continuing educational needs of
CNR’s students without interruption
and may necessitate the retention of a
number of faculty and staff,” the CNR
statement continued.
One strategy Mercy College has
considered is to lease portions of CNR’s
New Rochelle and Bronx campuses for
“a period of time.”
In the wake of the news, both Hall
and CNR president William Lattimer
hosted town hall style meetings with
students and faculty of the respective
schools on Tuesday, February 26.
Both presidents had also ensured
that the colleges are aiming to make
sure that the transfer process to Mercy
will not result in a tuition increase.
The exact timing of CNR’s closure
is still undetermined according to
CNR’s Co-op City Campus. Schneps Media/ Alex Mitchell
Mercy College.
“It may go until the end of the summer
semesters or be closed immediately
after the spring one,” he said.
Amidst the rush and confusion,
Hall’s sentiment of unity between the
schools had remained.
“This is a diffi cult time for the CNR
community, but Mercy is committed to
helping CNR’s students along their educational
journeys and to helping preserve
the history and legacy of CNR
into the future,” he stated.
Iona College, also in New Rochelle
had its eyes on CNR’s nursing program.
It is not clear at press time
whether Iona will pursue its own nursing
degree program.
Vargas’s honor.
Gjonaj said that P.O. Vargas is remembered
at the precinct, and that
his fellow NYPD members would visit
their friend in the hospital and pray
with his family for his recovery.
“This is a way we can remember
Manny Vargas and honor him for his
service,” said Gjonaj. “We can never
do enough to honor the brave men and
women who serve this city, and this
is a small token of appreciation for
P.O.Vargas’ sacrifi ces.”
Vargas was a cop for a quarter of
a century, said his sister, and he was
down at Ground Zero for at least a couple
of months in the aftermath of the
September 11th attacks.
“He was very friendly and he got
along with everybody,” said Cindy Vargas,
adding that he would often mentor
rookie cops or police offi cers that were
new to his precinct.
Vargas’ health issues began when
he had a seizure in 2016 while working.
He was taken to Jacobi Medical Center
where he was diagnosed with a brain
tumor, said his sister.
“He had surgery (in 2016) and went
into remission, but all of a sudden the
cancer came back strong,” said Cindy
Vargas.
Eventually, the tumor affected his
memory and gross motor ability.
Her family chose to honor her broth-
er’s memory by having the co-naming
on his birthday, said his sister.
Community Affairs police offi cer
David Lepore of the 49th Precinct said
that Vargas more than deserves the
honor.
“We are extremely grateful to have
such dedicated people in our community
to make this happen,” said Lepore,
adding that community, members
of the department and DiPierro were
instrumental in advancing Vargas’
trbute.
The police offi cer is survived by
his mother and sister, his brother Ariel
and son Manuel Vargas III, said
Cindy.
From page 1
A street co-naming honors deceased 49th
Precinct Police Offi cer Manuel Vargas Jr.
outside of the precinct station house.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Noesi
Police Offi cer Manny Vargas will he honored posthumously with a street co-naming in front
of the 49th Precinct. Photo courtesy of Cindy Noesi