Creates commissions to interview and recommend trustee candidates to the state university, CUNY and the community colleges

1 Co-sponsor

• Suzi Oppenheimer

BILL NUMBER:S5321

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to trustees of the state university of New York, city university of New York, and community colleges

Purpose

This bill establishes an eleven member independent commission, which shall evaluate and consider the qualifications of candidates for appointment to SUNY and CUNY and SUNY Community College Board of Trustees.

Summary of provisions

This bill directs the nominating commission to consider the certain characteristics as important considerations for potential trustee candidates. Section 350 of the Education Law is amended to add two new subdivisions defining the "Commission" and "Candidate." Section 352 of the Education Law is amended to add four new sections that define the organization of the SUNY Commission, functions of the SUNY Commission, rules of the SUNY Commission and the confidentiality of the proceedings and records of the SUNY Commission. Section 6203 of the Education Law is amended to add four new sections that define the organization of the CUNY Commission, functions of the CUNY Commission, rules of the CUNY Commission and the confidentiality of the proceedings and records of the CUNY Commission. Section 6301 of the Education Law is amended to add five new subsections that define the SUNY Community College Independent Commission, Regional Commissions, Candidates, local appointing authority and regional appointing authority. Section 6306 of the Education Law is amended to add four new sections that define the organization of the SUNY Community College Commission, functions of the SUNY Community College Commission, rules of the SUNY Community College Commission and the confidentiality of the proceedings and records of the SUNY Community College Commission. Section 6310 of the Education Law is amended to add four new sections that define organization of the Regional Commission, functions of the Regional Commission, rules of the Regional Commission and the confidentiality of the proceedings and records of the Regional Commission.

Justification

SUNY, CUNY and New York State community colleges are governed by boards of trustees, the majority of whose members are politically appointed either by the Governor, the Mayor of the City of New York or by local legislators.

Over the years, many trustee appointments have been made based on political alliances rather than the qualifications and real connections to public higher education. This has created at times real and potential conflicts of interest and political influence that has interfered with the ability of trustees to responsibly carry out their duties.

Strong universities and community colleges deserve trustees who are selected based on their vision for the future, their commitment to public higher education and the skills they bring to the job. Boards of trustees dedicated solely to the university or community college, not the agendas of government officials, are essential for the success of the state's public university systems and community colleges.

The creation of a nonpartisan advisory, independent nominating commission to recruit and screen trustee appointments to the boards of our state's public higher education institutions will help mitigate such political influence and interference from government officials. As a result, actions taken by trustees will more likely be in the best interests of our universities and community colleges instead of the interests of government officials.

Legislative history

2006 - 2010 Referred to Higher Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to appointments made on or after such effective date.