What's happening
This bill allows colleges operating in New York for at least 10 years and properly accredited to offer new programs and degrees.
Why it matters
Speeds up innovation and adaptation. By allowing colleges with a long-standing in-state presence and good accreditation to launch new degrees more easily, the bill could enable quicker responses to workforce needs and emerging academic fields.
Reduces regulatory hurdles for established institutions. Colleges that meet the 10-year and accreditation requirements would face fewer administrative barriers when expanding their offerings, potentially lowering costs and administrative delays.
Increases educational options for students. With more flexibility to introduce programs, students may see a wider array of degree choices and specialized curricula at trusted institutions.
Maintains standards through accreditation. The requirement for accreditation “without sanction” ensures that only reputable, well-performing schools benefit from these streamlined rules, aiming to balance innovation with educational quality.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Colleges Add Degrees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
834
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
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.
LBD02879-01-9
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
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
Read the full memo (641 words)
(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.
Section 2 - Establishes the 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
2017-18: S.4577b/A.6064b Referred to Higher Education 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.