Provides that the trustees of SUNY may authorize the establishment of a new category of tuition for non-resident students enrolled in distance learning courses

BILL NUMBER:S3443

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a new category of tuition for non-resident students of the state university enrolled in distance learning courses

Purpose

This bill will allow the SUNY Board of Trustees to establish a separate category of tuition for non-resident students who are enrolled in state university distance learning courses.

Summary of provisions

The bill amends subparagraph 4 of paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the education law to allow the SUNY board of Trustees to establish a separate category of tuition for non-resident students enrolled in distance learning courses. The bill provides that such resident tuition must be more than the tuition rates charged for resident students and less than tuition charged for non-resident students enrolled in distance learning courses.

Justification

With the increased demands for access to higher education, one means of providing such access has been through the use of distance learning courses. These courses have little if any geographical boundaries, allowing colleges to offer courses to people anywhere in the country or the world. These programs have attracted the interest of people who, under other conditions, would never have access to such information or course work. These courses are an efficient and effective way of reaching these students at minimal marginal cost to the school. However, our state campuses are in competition with many other state and private institutions for students to enroll in their respective programs. Under current law, our state schools must charge the same non-resident tuition rate to distance learning students as it does for all other non-resident students. This puts them at a competitive disadvantage with other distance learning courses and programs offered by other colleges and universities. By allowing the trustees to establish a separate tuition category for non-resident distance learning courses our state schools will be able to offer their courses at a competitive rate.

Legislative history

2009-10, S.2159; 2007-2008, S.4076; 2005-2006, S.4101.

Fiscal implications

No cost to the state.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.