What's happening
This bill requires the SUNY trustees to create a process for reducing or eliminating duplicate academic degree programs, with public input and consideration of various impacts.
Why it matters
Could significantly reshape academic offerings at SUNY campuses. by requiring the trustees to proactively identify and address overlapping degree programs, potentially leading to fewer choices at certain campuses but streamlined offerings across the system.
Mandates public input and transparency. through required public hearings before any program is eliminated or consolidated, giving students, faculty, and community members a formal voice in decisions that may affect academic opportunities and local economies.
Requires consideration of both statewide access and fiscal impacts. , meaning decisions must balance efficient use of resources with the geographic and educational needs of students across New York, potentially affecting rural or underserved regions differently than urban campuses.
Specifies protections for unionized employees. , ensuring that the rights of SUNY staff covered under civil service bargaining agreements are considered during any program changes, which could influence how reductions are implemented and negotiated.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cut Duplicate Degree Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 2751a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- 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.
Cut Duplicate College Programs
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2751--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sens. LAVALLE, DeFRANCISCO, LARKIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Education in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to efforts to reduce duplication of academic degree programs within the state university
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 359 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. The trustees shall establish a process to eliminate or reduce duplication of academic degree programs. Such process shall include, but not be limited to, the promulgation of criteria to determine which programs shall be considered for elimination or consolidation, recognition of the effect of elimination or consolidation on access to such degree program throughout the state university system, consideration of the fiscal implications of any such elimination or consolidation, consideration of the rights under article fourteen of the civil service law of members of certified bargaining units employed by the state university, and a process by which public hearings are held before elimination or consolidation of any degree program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08100-02-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to efforts to reduce duplication of academic degree programs within the state university
Purpose
This bill establishes a mechanism for the Trustees of the University system to make decisions on how to reduce academic program duplication.
Summary of provisions
This bill requires Trustees to establish a process by which decisions are made to eliminate or reduce duplication of academic degree programs. It specifies that the process should include promulgation of criteria for programs to be considered for elimination, recognition of any effects on access, consideration of fiscal impact, and consideration of rights of employees subject to collective bargaining.
Justification
Except for general language on the SUNY Trustees' participation in the master planning process, the Education Law is silent on any process by which the Trustees might establish criteria for dealing with academic program duplication. This bill would provide for an orderly and rational process for determining which programs might be considered for elimi- nation or consolidation. The Trustees shall also consider public dialogue and recognize the possible effects on access, on fiscal consid- erations, and on collective bargaining rights of employees.
Legislative history
1997-98, S.1358; 1995-96, S.7228; 1999-2000, S.3196; 2001-02, S.2356; 2003-04, S.211-A; 2005-06 S.1149/A.2134; 2007-08 S.1526; 2009-10 S.2731; 2011-12 S.1943; 2013-14 S.1846/A.737; 2015-16 S.21/A.1815.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect one year after it has become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.