THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Master Plan Amendment: State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville – Norwich Campus
DATE:	November 15, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

       Should the Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of the State University of New York to authorize the College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Human Services?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

      Required by State regulation.

 

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its December 2006 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.   It will then come before the full Board at its December meeting for final action.

 

Procedural History

 

Master plan amendment is required because this would be the College’s first degree program in the discipline of Social Sciences at the Norwich Campus.

 

Background Information

 

            The State University Board of Trustees seeks Regents approval for the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in Human Services. This action is required because this would be SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus’ first associate degree program in the discipline of Social Sciences as defined by the guidelines for master plan amendment. 

 

Recommendation

 

            It has been determined that the proposed program, if approved, would meet the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

 

            It is recommended that the Regents amend the master plan of the State University of New York effective December 5, 2006 authorizing the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville – Norwich Campus to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in Human Services.  This approval will be effective until December 31, 2007 unless the Department registers one or more programs leading to the degree indicated for that institution prior to that date, in which case the master plan amendment shall be without term.

 

 

Information in Support of the Recommendation

 

 

At its May 25, 2006 meeting, the State University Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to amend the State University Master Plan to authorize the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville – Norwich Campus to offer instruction leading to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Human Services.

 

The proposed A.A.S. degree in Human Services at the Norwich Campus is designed to address the educational needs of area residents seeking to pursue careers as entry-level professionals in the Human Services field.     

 

The 64-credit hour program requirements include courses in both the major and the liberal arts and sciences to fulfill the general education requirements, three field placement experiences and a portfolio. The proposed program will focus on human service theory and application through strength-based assessment and interventions, developing in students an appreciation for diversity and a holistic view of those in need, and local and global influences and resources.

 

SUNY Morrisville anticipates an initial enrollment of 10 students and projects a five-year enrollment of 30 students to be drawn primarily from Chenango County.     

 

            The proposed program will be offered in the College’s newly constructed facility, the Roger W. Follett Hall, a 37,000 sq. ft. academic building with the capacity for 1,000 students. No new or special equipment will be required to launch the proposed program. Projected expenditures for the Human Services A.A.S. program include $12,500 for start-up costs and $47,000 when the program begins. Funds are allocated for expenses related to personnel, supplies and the library. Current library holdings are sufficient for the program, and the College will allocate $1,000 per year to continue to increase library holdings for the program.  The College is a full participant with SUNY Connect which provides electronic databases through this service.  

 

SUNY Morrisville has offered “extension” classes in Norwich since 1969.  The Norwich location was authorized as a branch campus by the Board of Regents in 1988.  Current enrollment at the Norwich campus is over 500 students. The proposed Human Services program will be offered at the Norwich Campus only, serving primarily Chenango County.  It is the only postsecondary entity with a physical presence in this county with a population of 51,401 (2000 Census). 

 

There is evidence of strong demand for the proposed program based on data provided by area employers, agency executives, and the New York Department of Labor. In 2002, New York State employed 34,880 workers classified as social and human service assistants.  This number is expected to increase to 46,450 by 2010. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the field of social and human service assistants will grow by approximately 36 percent within the next decade.

 

Planning Review

 

            Cazenovia College responded to a canvass of the institutions in the Central region and asked if the program will be offered also at the main campus.  Morrisville responded that the program will only be offered at the Norwich campus; Cazenovia did not object to the program.  There were no other responses.