Permits persons 65 years of age to enroll in a limited number of state university courses for credit without tuition

1 Co-sponsor

• David Carlucci

BILL NUMBER:S3807

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing persons over age sixty-five to enroll in a limited number of SUNY credit hours without tuition

Purpose

This bill will permit persons over the age of sixty-five to take courses for credit, on a space-available basis, without charge, at State University of New York campuses.

Summary of provisions

Amends § 355 of the Education Law to allow persons over sixty-five years of age to receive up to a maximum of nine credit hours per semester for courses taken at the State University of New York at no charge, on a space available basis.

Justification

In 1974, New York State adopted Chapter 1002 of the Laws of 1974 permitting persons over the age of sixty 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 under this program to further their education on a for-credit basis. This bill would extend to persons age sixty-five 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 older collegians fully into the mainstream of academic life.

Not only will older students benefit from fully participating in the courses offered at the State University of New York, they will bring a broad range of lifetime experiences to the classroom, thereby enriching the education of all students.

Legislative history

This is a new bill. Earlier versions have passed the Senate multiple times from 1980 through 2008.

Fiscal implications

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

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.