What's happening
This bill allows colleges in New York with ten years of continuous operation and full accreditation to add new programs and degrees.
Why it matters
Streamlines the process for well-established, accredited colleges. to expand their academic offerings, potentially allowing them to respond more quickly to changing workforce needs and student interests.
Reduces regulatory barriers. for institutions with a proven track record (10 years in operation and full accreditation), which could lead to more innovative or diverse program options for students.
May increase competition among colleges. by enabling smaller or private institutions that meet the criteria to adapt and grow, possibly encouraging greater quality or specialization in academic programs.
Preserves oversight for less-established or non-accredited colleges. , ensuring that new or unproven institutions still undergo full review, which could help maintain educational standards and protect students.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Colleges Add More Degrees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
History
- Print number 4577b
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Print number 4577a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Let Colleges Add More Programs
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4577--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 17, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, JACOBS, KENNEDY, ORTT, RANZENHOFER, YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- 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 authorizing colleges and universities to offer additional programs and degrees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, a college, as defined by section 2 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 Commission on Higher Education 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. This act shall take effect the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10020-04-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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 and accrediting higher education academic programs.
Summary of provisions
1- Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, a college, as defined by section 2 of the Education Law, may offer or institute an additional program or degree if that college (1) has maintained a physical presence and oper- ated continuously in the State for the immediately preceding 10 years and (2) is accredited with- out sanction by Middle States Commission on Higher Education 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.
Read the full memo (633 words)
§ 2- Effective date.
Justification
The New York State Board of Regents (and by virtue of their authority, the State Education Department SED), is the only state government agency that is authorized by the US Department of Education to accredit colleges and universities. Forty-nine other states rely on their feder- ally recognized regional accrediting bodies, of which there are six (e.g. Middle States Commission on Higher Education, New England Associ- ation of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, etc.), to evaluate higher education programs within their borders. While the SED has maintained standards for college programs that are consistent with (though not more stringent than) the federally recognized regional accrediting bodies, they have been unable to make their decisions on accreditation in a timely and efficient manner. This has hindered the ability of our excellent 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.
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 educa- tion 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 upwards of three years. This delay causes these fine academ- ic institutions to miss opportunities to strengthen and respond to changing academic-based local, regional and state needs. This delay in accreditation is not just confined to those academic entities in Western New York, but has been experienced by institutions across the state.
With required outside accrediting agencies, specifically the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, readily available to perform this function for New York State institutions, the accreditation process by NYSED is duplicative and overly burdensome on our state's higher educa- tion institutions, resulting in missed education opportunities and an inability to effectively utilize our higher education institutions' full potential for attracting economic development, promoting job creation and retention, and encouraging individuals to remain in or relocate to New York State.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.4673b/A.4353 Referred to Higher Education 2013-14: S.6866/A.9066 Referred to Higher Education
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 the first of January next succeeding the date on which 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.