Senate Bill S5975

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5975

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the regents
establishing a process for colleges to become universities

 PURPOSE :

To establish a process for colleges to become universities

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS

Section 1 of the bill adds a new Section 216-d to the Education Law to
establish a process by which the regents may allow a college to become
a university.

Section 2 of the bill provides that the bill is effective 180 days
after enactment.

 EXISTING LAW :

New York Education Law Section 224 (1) prohibits an organization from
using the name "university" unless the Board of Regents has authorized
it to use that designation. In 1968, the Board of Regents adopted the
following regulation: University means a higher education institution
              

offering a range of registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in
the liberal arts and sciences, degrees in two or more professional
fields, and doctoral programs in at least three academic fields. (8
N.Y.C.R.R. Section 50.1 (I)) (emphasis added)

The Board has restricted the use of "university" even further by
ruling that entry level professional doctoral programs do not count
toward the requirement of three doctoral programs in academic fields.
The doctoral program must include "the production of a substantial
report on original research, the independent investigation of a topic
of significance to the field of study, the production of an
appropriate creative work, or the verified development of advanced
professional skills." (8 N.Y.C.R.R. Section 52.2 (c) (10))

 JUSTIFICATION :

New York is the only state in the United States to adopt such a
restrictive definition of "university." In every other state, higher
education institutions have much greater freedom to elect whether to
call themselves a "college" or "university." The Carnegie Foundation
for the Advancement of Teaching, has developed the most widely used
categorization of institutions of higher education, it does not limit
the designation of university to schools with doctoral programs.
Indeed, because numerous New York State colleges offer a wide range of
Masters degrees, many fall within the Carnegie Foundation's
"university" classification.

In recent years, colleges and universities have made increasing
efforts to recruit students from outside the United States and to
develop faculty exchange programs. In most other countries, students
and faculty are familiar with the word "university" to designate an
institution of higher education. The word "college" is used to
designate a unit within the larger university, thus putting them at a
competitive disadvantage with schools in other states because students
and faculty in other countries are not familiar with the use of the
term "college" and prefer to attend a "university."

Thus, the designation is important to colleges in New York, and
creates the need for this legislation. New York's over-regulation of
the use of the term "university" is operating against its economic
interests. Institutions of higher education are a key economic driver
throughout New York State. As we look to the future, we should be
considering ways to expand opportunities for enrollment of students
from other countries, who would contribute to the economic well-being
of the State.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New legislation.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the State.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.