What's happening
This bill streamlines the approval process for new higher education programs at certain accredited not-for-profit colleges in New York.
Why it matters
Reduces bureaucratic delay. for well-established, accredited not-for-profit colleges (with a 10-year track record in NY and continuous accreditation) by allowing most new academic programs to be automatically registered within 30 days of institutional approval, speeding up their ability to respond to evolving student and workforce needs.
Targets only certain programs. The streamlined process excludes programs requiring master plan or charter amendments, those leading to professional licensure, or substantive changes as defined by accreditors, maintaining existing oversight for higher-risk or more consequential offerings.
Strengthens accountability triggers. If a college is placed on accreditation probation or loses accreditation, it immediately reverts to full state oversight for program approvals until it regains good standing for at least six years, ensuring quality standards are upheld if institutional stability is in question.
Preserves state oversight and complaint authority. The State Education Department retains its existing power to investigate complaints and de-register programs if issues arise, maintaining a safety net for students and the public despite the procedural streamlining.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Faster College Program Approvals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3071
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 1, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, GALLIVAN, LITTLE, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to streamlining higher education program approvals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 210-d to read as follows:
§ 210-d. Registration of curricula. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, any new curriculum or program of study offered by any not-for-profit college or university chartered by the regents or incorporated by special act of the legislature that does not require a master plan amendment pursuant to section two hundred thirtyseven of this part, or charter amendment pursuant to section two hundred sixteen of this part, or lead to professional licensure and that is approved by the state university board of trustees, the city university board of trustees, or the trustees or governing body of any other notfor-profit college or university chartered by the regents which (1) has maintained a physical presence in New York state for the immediately preceding ten years and has been operated continuously by the same governing corporate entity during the same immediately preceding ten year period and (2) is accredited and has continued in accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education ("MSCHE") or the department for the immediately preceding ten years, shall be deemed registered with the department within thirty days of notification of approval. If the college or university is placed on probation or has its accreditation terminated by MSCHE, such college or university shall notify the regents in writing no later than thirty days after being formally informed of its probation or loss of accreditation by MSCHE. If a college or university has its accreditation placed on probation or
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01768-01-9
S. 3071 2
terminated by the MSCHE or the education department the college or university shall be subject to the commissioner's program approval it had been removed from probation or regained accreditation by MSCHE or the education department, and shall remain subject to such commissioner's program approval until it has continued in accreditation and without probation for a period of not less than six years. If a college or university subject to this section intends to offer or institute an additional degree or program which constitutes a "substantive change," as defined and determined by MSCHE, then the college or university shall provide the commissioner with copies of any reports or other documents filed with MSCHE as part of MSCHE's substantive change review process and shall inform the commissioner when the substantive change is approved. Any such college or university that does not satisfy all of the provisions of this section shall comply with the procedures and criteria established by the regents and commissioner for academic program approval. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the department's existing authority to act on complaints concerning the institution, including the authority to de-register the program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 streamlining higher education program approvals
Purpose
To expedite the process of developing new curricula in not-for-profit and public colleges and universities
Summary of provisions
This bill creates a new Education Law section 210-d titled registration of curricula. The section provides that any new curricula proposed by a not-for-profit or public college or university that does not require a change in its master plan and that is led to a professional licensure that is approved by SUNY trustees, CUNY trustees, or the trustees or governing body of any other not-for-profit college or university which has maintained a physical presence in New York State for the previous ten years, is accredited and has continued accreditation by middle Atlantic States Commission on Higher Education or the Education Depart- ment for the preceding ten years shall be deemed registered within thir- ty days of notification of approval. The section requires notice to the commissioner if a school is placed on probation or loses accreditation, and in such event, the current process for approval of new curricula would be required.
Existing law
New bill.
Justification
Language similar to this bill was proposed in 2015, but ultimately not enacted after the Education Department instituted new measures that it was hoped would speed up the process of approving new curricula. Over time, the process has again slowed down. In order for colleges and universities in New York to compete nationally and internationally, it is critical that they can introduce new and innovative curricula in a timely manner. An application that lingers for years before approval is oftentimes already growing out of date and in need of modification even before it has finally been approved. Efficient and timely approval of new courses and curricula is critical to supporting our not-for-profit and public colleges and universities.
Legislative history
2017-18 - S.5182 - PASSED SENATE/HIGHER ED
Fiscal implications
None. There may be some reduction in costs to the Department of Educa- tion as the manpower related to this duplicative process is reduced.
Effective date
This act will take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.