Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2008

TO:                                                 The Higher Education Committee

 

FROM:                                         Frank Muñoz

                                                                                   

SUBJECT:                             Master Plan Amendment:      Cayuga Community College, Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Nursing at Fulton Campus

                                                                                           

DATE:                                          November 26, 2008

 

STRATEGIC GOAL:             Goal 2

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

              Should the Regents approve the proposed master plan amendment for Cayuga Community College to offer a nursing program leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree at its Fulton Campus?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

              Required by State regulation.

 

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Higher Education Committee at its December 2008 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It then will come before the full Board at its December  2008 meeting for final action.

 

Procedural History

 

              Master plan amendment is required because this would be the first program in the major mission area of the health professions at the College’s Fulton Campus.

 

Background Information

 

              The State University Board of Trustees, at its June 17, 2008 meeting, adopted a resolution to amend the State University Master Plan to authorize Cayuga Community College – Fulton Branch to offer instruction leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing in the disciplinary area of Health Professions. The College currently offers associate degrees in business; accounting, business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, liberal arts and sciences, nursing, studio art and design, technology, and telecommunications.  The proposed program, which will educate individuals to become registered nurses, supports Cayuga Community College’s mission to provide education for career preparation that is academically, financially, and geographically accessible to a diverse student population.

 

              The College has requested registration of a licensure-qualifying nursing program leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree. The 68-credit program includes 40 credits in nursing course work.  A total of 28 required credits in liberal arts and sciences includes course work in English, biological sciences, social sciences and electives.

 

              Applicants will be required to take the Accuplacer Diagnostic Placement Test, have completed courses in high school or college chemistry and biology, and have demonstrated proficiency in algebra.  The College anticipates that 20 students will begin the program.

 

              The nursing faculty for the proposed program consists of one full-time master’s prepared registered nurse, one part-time master’s prepared registered nurse and one full-time laboratory technician who is a registered nurse.  The non-nursing courses will be taught by existing faculty at the College.

 

              The library currently subscribes to over 20 electronic databases with full-text capability.  Computer technology is readily available throughout the College.  A 1,000 square foot space has been designated for a Nursing Arts Laboratory.  Durable and disposable equipment has been ordered.  There are a number of clinical agencies in the geographic region that have indicated interest in the nursing program.  Two agencies have submitted letters of commitment.   

 

              The proposed nursing program will prepare nurses to function as entry level generalists and increase the number of registered nurses available in Oswego County. The Department has determined that the proposed nursing program meets the standards for registration as set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

 

              A canvass was conducted of all institutions in the Central Region.  There were no objectives to the proposed program.

 

Recommendation

 

              It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve the proposed master plan amendment of the State University of New York authorizing Cayuga Community College to offer the Associate in Applied Science degree program in Nursing at its Fulton Campus. This amendment would be effective until December 16, 2009, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case the master plan amendment shall be without term.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

              If the Board of Regents approves the master plan amendment, the Department will register the program following gubernatorial approval, and the College will proceed to recruit and enroll program students.