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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes colleges to offer additional programs or degrees if they have met certain criteria
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6866
Title of bill
An act authorizing colleges and universities to offer additional programs and degrees
Purpose
This bill would remove the New York State Education Department from the process of approving higher education academic programs.
Summary of provisions
§ 1- Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, a nonprofit degree-granting college, as defined by section two of the Education Law may offer or institute an additional program or degree if that college (1) has maintained a physical presence and operated continuously in the State for the immediately preceding 10 years and (2) is accredited without sanction by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or the New York State Board of Regents. Any such college that does not satisfy all of the provisions of this section shall comply with the procedures and criteria established by the Board of Regents.
§ 2- Effective date.
Justification
The New York State Board of Regents (and by virtue of their authority, the State Education Department (SED)), reviews and registers higher education programs in New York State. The SED, through the Regents, has established standards for college programs but has been unable to make their decisions on program approval in a timely and efficient manner. This has hindered the ability of our world-class colleges and universities in New York to adapt to the changing needs of students and employers by offering new and innovative academic programs. Students with degrees in emerging fields are in high demand in the growing high tech industries making up an ever larger part of New York's economy.
Recently the Presidents' Council of the W.N.Y. Consortium of Higher Education hosted a meeting in Western New York to discuss their concerns regarding the New York State Education Department's process for approving and accrediting academic programs. All 21 public and private higher education institutions in Western New York agreed that the current process for approving and accrediting academic programs in New York State is cumbersome and extremely challenging. Many times the wait time for approval is several years. This delay causes these fine academic institutions to miss opportunities to strengthen and respond to changing academic-based local, regional and state needs. This delay in program approval is not just confined to those academic entities in Western New York, but has been experienced by institutions across the state.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Possible savings to the State. In addition, there is the potential for tremendous economic benefit to the state since this legislation will allow academic institutions to create educational programs more rapidly, enabling the state to dexterously leverage higher education to fulfill the needs of both students and New York State employers.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.