Permits persons 60 years of age to take state university courses for credit without tuition

28 Co-sponsors

• George D. Maziarz
• John J. Bonacic
• Neil D. Breslin
• Ruben Diaz
• John J. Flanagan
• Brian X. Foley
• Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.
• Martin J. Golden
• Joseph A. Griffo
• Kemp Hannon
• Owen H. Johnson
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• Thomas P. Morahan
• George Onorato
• Frank Padavan
• Kevin S. Parker
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Stephen M. Saland
• John L. Sampson
• José M. Serrano
• James L. Seward
• William T. Stachowski
• Antoine M. Thompson
• Dale M. Volker
• George Winner
• Darrel J. Aubertine

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the state university trustees to make courses available for certain persons sixty years of age or over

Purpose

This bill will permit the trustees of the State University to allow senior citizens to take courses for credit, on a space-available basis, without charge, at State-operated campuses.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends §355 of the Education Law to add for-credit courses (to a maximum of nine credit hours per semester) to the existing provisions which authorize senior citizens to audit courses, on a space available basis, at no charge.

Justification

In 1974, New York State took a giant step forward by adopting Chapter 1002 of the Laws of 1974 permitting senior citizens to audit courses at the State University without tuition, examination or credit, on a space available basis. On approving that legislation, the Governor noted that, "Education can be a major factor in helping older people maintain their mental alertness, (and) continue active participation in the affairs of their communities. In many instances, however, financial and formal educational barriers have rendered such education opportunity inaccessible."

Although the 1974 law began an important step forward, senior citizens have so far been denied the opportunity to further their education on a for-credit basis. This bill would extend to persons age 60 and over the ability to attend courses at no charge at the State University, on a space-available basis, while receiving credit for their course work. This is a logical continuation of our efforts to integrate our elderly collegians fully into the mainstream of academic life. It is now time to make our students age 60 and over first-class citizens of the University, entitled not only to the privileges of an auditor, but also to the opportunities of full participation in their course work.

History of bill

See S.2510/A.4820 of 2007-08, S.2481/A.5079 of 2005-06, S.1532/A.3267 of 2003-04, S.2841/A.5383 of 2001-02, S.1836/A.3165 of 1999-2000, S.2338/A.3768 of 1997-98, S.1631/A.11268 of 1995-96, S.2191/A.3788 of 1993-94, S.2751/A.4204 of 1991-1992 and S.2052/A.3101 of 1989-1990. Has passed the Senate in varying versions every year since 1980.

Fiscal impact

There is no direct fiscal impact, since all attendance would be on a space-available basis.

Effective date

April 1st next.