Report of Regents Cultural Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Committee on Cultural Education had its scheduled meeting on November 16, 2020. Regent Roger Tilles and Regent Frances Wills, Co-Chairs of the Cultural Education Committee, submitted the following written report. In attendance were committee members: Regent Tilles, Co-Chair, Regent Wills, Co-Chair, Regent Cea, Regent Cottrell and Regent Mead. Regents, in addition to Cultural Education Committee members, in attendance were: Vice Chancellor Brown, Regent Chin, Regent Collins, Regent Young, Regent Reyes, Regent Finn, Regent Mittler, Interim Commissioner Rosa.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Co-Chairs Regent Tilles and Regent Wills welcomed everyone.

Deputy Commissioner’s Report (Discussion)

Deputy Commissioner Mark Schaming provided an update on how the Office of Cultural Education’s programs and services continue to serve, support and educate New Yorkers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments to the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries (Action) [CE (A) 1]

Deputy Commissioner Mark Schaming introduced the recommended appointments to the Library Regents Advisory Council. Members of the Library Regents Advisory Council advises the Board on issues concerning library policy, works with the officers of the State Education Department in developing a comprehensive statewide library and information policy, and makes recommendations to the Regents for implementing library programs and initiatives. The recommended appointments to the Library Regents Advisory Council are: Meg Backus, Executive Director, Northern New York Library Network, Potsdam (5-year term); AnnaLee Dragon, Director, Kinderhook Memorial Library (5-year term); and Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty, Associate University Librarian, Cornell University (5-year term).

Motion: Regent Tilles
Second: Regent Cea
Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

Proposed Amendment of Section 90.19 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Regional Bibliographic Databases and Interlibrary Resources Sharing Program (Discussion) [CE (D) 1]

Deputy Commissioner Mark Schaming presented proposed amendments relating to regional bibliographic data bases and interlibrary resources sharing program. The amendments are necessary to update and clarify certain terminology related to the use of technology in libraries and to reflect new technologies, best practices and current standards. In addition, the amendments realign outdated program planning requirements, reporting requirements and eligibility criteria to reflect current practices. After publication of the proposed rule in the State Register and expiration of the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed rule will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at the March 2021 Regents meeting.

Interim Commissioner Rosa informed the committee that Regent Collins was now appointed to the Committee on Cultural Education.