Report of Regents Higher Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on October 7, 2019. All members were present except Regent Finn.

ACTION ITEM

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues:  Your Higher Education Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the written report of the Committee’s deliberations at its meeting on October 7, 2019, copies of which have been distributed to each member of the Board of Regents.

Matters Requiring Board Action:

Fei Tian College – Change in Scope of Institutional Accreditation - Your Committee heard Department staff present a proposal by Fei Tian College to change its scope of accreditation to include the Middletown branch campus and the new degree programs to be offered at the branch campus. The Board of Regents is the Institutional Accrediting Agency for Fei Tian College. In accordance with Regents Rules Section 4-1.5(d), Regents accredited institutions that undergo a substantive change must apply to the Department for a substantive change of scope in accreditation which must be approved by the Board. The Board approved a change in scope of the institutional accreditation of Fei Tian College, in recognition of the institution’s authority to award the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees at the newly established branch campus in Middletown, NY.

Matters Not Requiring Board Action:

Proposed Amendments to Sections 80-3.15 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Limited Extension, Statement of Continued Eligibility and Subject Area Extension in Grades 7-12 for Certain Teachers of Students with Disabilities - Your Committee discussed whether the Board of Regents should approve the amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations that add general science and languages other than English to the list of subject areas for the limited extension and statement of continued eligibility (SOCE) for certain teachers of student with disabilities.  Your Committee also discussed whether the Board of Regents should approve technical amendments to the Commissioner’s Regulations that add certain special education certificate titles to the list of titles eligible for the limited extension, SOCE, and subject area extension in grades 7-12 for certain teacher of student teachers with disabilities. Following the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act, it is anticipated that the proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption at its January 2020 meeting. If adopted at the January 2020 meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on January 29, 2020.

Non-State Aid Budget and Legislative Initiatives - Your Committee reviewed and discussed proposals for inclusion in the Board’s 2020 State Budget and legislative priorities.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Regents acted on the following consent agenda items at the October 2019 meeting.

• Amendment to Sections 80-3.15 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Extension of the Application Deadline for the Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) for Certain Teachers of Students with Disabilities and to the Extension of the Deadline for Completing Teaching Experience While Under a HOUSSE Rubric for the SOCE and Limited Extension for Certain Teachers of Students with Disabilities. The Board of Regents voted that Sections 80-3.15 and 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be adopted, as submitted, effective October 23, 2019.
   
• Amendment to Sections 80-5.8 and 80-5.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to the Eligibility Requirements for the Endorsement Pathway for Certification as an Educator in the Classroom Teaching Service or in the Educational Leadership Service. The Board of Regents voted that Sections 80-5.8 and 80-5.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be adopted effective October 23, 2019.
   
• Conferral of Degrees: Dowling College and Globe Institute of Technology. The Board of Regents approved the conferral of the respective degrees upon listed individuals who have completed the requirements for registered degree programs at Dowling College and Globe Institute of Technology.
   
• Plaza College: Regents Authorization to award the Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree.  The Board of Regents voted to authorize Plaza College to award the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree on students who successfully completed programs at Plaza College effective October 8, 2019.