Assembly Resolution No. 472

BY: M. of A. Ortiz

CONGRATULATING Robert Berne upon the occasion of
his retirement after more than 40 years of
distinguished service to New York University

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Robert Berne upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 40
years of distinguished service to New York University; and

WHEREAS, Robert Berne earned his Bachelor of Science degree with
distinction, his Master of Business Administration Degree and his Ph.D.
from Cornell University; and

WHEREAS, For over four decades, Robert Berne has been a key
component to the success of New York University; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Robert Berne began his illustrious career with New
York University (NYU) as a member of the faculty at the Robert F. Wagner
Graduate School of Public Service; during this time, he founded and
served as the co-Director of NYU's Institute for Education and Social
Policy; and

WHEREAS, From 1988-1993, Robert Berne held the position of Associate
Dean of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service; he was
then promoted to the title of Dean, a title he would hold for the next
three years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Berne served as the Vice President for Academic
Development from 1996-2000; he then advanced to the position of Vice
President for Academic and Health Affairs; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2002, Robert Berne was named Senior Vice
President for Health; eight years later, he was promoted to Executive
Vice President for Health, a position from which he will officially
retire in 2017; and

WHEREAS, In this post, Robert Berne has been responsible for working
with deans and other University leaders on long-term academic,
financial, and operational strategies for the wide range of health
activities at NYU; and

WHEREAS, Robert Berne has also developed strategies for the
University's health and health-related programs; and

WHEREAS, Robert Berne has also been instrumental in the academic
development of NYU's growth in downtown Brooklyn through the opening of
a new facility at 370 Jay Street, allowing many of its applied sciences
programs and its arts programs to be housed in one building; and

WHEREAS, A scholar of public education policy and financing, Robert
Berne furnished critical expert analysis and testimony in the landmark
school finance case, CFE v. The State of New York; he has written
numerous books and studies including The Measurement of Equity in School
Finance, co-authored with Professor Leanna Stiefel of NYU's Wagner
School; Hard Lessons: Public Schools and Privatization co-authored with
Carol Ascher and Norm Fruchter of NYU's Institute for Education and
Social Policy; The Relationships Between Financial Reporting and the
Measurement of Financial Condition, for the Government Accounting
Standards Board in 1992; and The Financial Analysis of Governments; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Robert Berne has been published in numerous
journals, including The Journal of Policy Analysis and Management,
Policy Analysis, Policy Science, and Public Administration Review, among
others; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his superlative work with NYU, Robert Berne
served as Executive Director of the New York State Temporary Commission
on New York City School Governance, also known as the Marchi Commission
from 1989-1991; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Robert Berne upon the occasion of his retirement after more
than 40 years of distinguished service to New York University, and to
wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert Berne.