Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on November 17, 2015

Matters not requiring action:

Proposed Amendments of Subpart 4-1 of the Rules of the Board of Regents Relating to Voluntary Institutional Accreditation for Title IV Purposes. 

Your Committee discussed several technical amendments related to reporting and to clarify steps in the process and make clear the basis upon which accreditation recommendations and determinations are made.  It is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be submitted to the Board of Regents for adoption at the February 2016 Regents Meeting.

Proposed Amendment of Part 83 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Good Moral Character Proceedings on Charges Against a Certified Educator. 

Your Committee discussed amendments to make Part 83 consistent with Section 3020-a and 3020-b.  The proposed amendments would eliminate the use of hearing panels, create a rotational list of qualified hearing officers, clarify the right of the Commissioner to review a hearing officer’s report of findings and recommendations, clarify appeal/review procedures, and also clarifies the authority of the Commissioner to remand a matter to the extent deemed necessary, for instance, in cases where there may have been a misapplication of law or burden of proof, or an inconsistent penalty for similar misconduct.  After discussion, the Committee asked that the proposed amendment be revised regarding the use of the hearing panel and be brought back in December for further discussion.