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Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 56–4
- Ordered to third reading cal.60
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6438
Title of bill
An act prohibiting the use of state aid by colleges and universities for certain academic institutions
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would prohibit any college from using state aid to fund an academic entity, to provide funds for membership in an academic entity, or fund travel or lodging for any employee to attend any meeting of such academic entity if that academic entity has undertaken an official action boycotting certain countries or their higher education institutions.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 is the legislative intent.
Section 2 prohibits any college from using state aid to fund an academic entity, to provide funds for membership in an academic entity, or to fund travel or lodging for any employee to attend any meeting of such academic entity if that academic entity has undertaken an official action boycotting a host country or its higher education institutions if the country subject of such boycott hosts a higher education institution chartered by the Board of Regents. Colleges violating this ban would not be eligible for state aid during the academic year in which the violation occurs. Nothing in this section shall limit the attendance by any employee of a college at any event of an academic entity that boycotts a host country or higher education institution located in such country and attendance at meetings of any such entity shall not be used by the college with regard to employment decisions.
The bill also contains three exemptions in which the provisions of this bill would not apply to colleges: located in a foreign country that is a state sponsor of terrorism, when the boycott is connected with a labor dispute, or when the boycott is for the purpose of protesting unlawful discriminatory practices.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
Academic freedom is a cornerstone of our academic community in New York State's colleges and universities. Professors and students should be able to teach, study, and pursue research without unreasonable interference. Academic boycotts violate the principles of academic freedom, open exchange, and freedom of thought and expression. In addition, undertaking an official action boycotting certain countries or their higher education institutions limits access to research and ability to study other cultures and societies. It is important that New York State colleges promote and encourage access to international educational institutions for its students to succeed in a world marked by interdependence and diversity. A global education allows professors and students to connect, compete, and cooperate with their peers around the world. For these very reasons, colleges should not use state funds to support boycotts of countries, or higher education institutions located in countries, that host higher education institutions chartered by the Board of Regents. In short, the legislation simply prohibits tax dollars from promoting
discriminatory practices while at the same time preserving academic freedom.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.