BILL NUMBER:S3485

TITLE OF BILL:

An act
to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing the state
university trustees to make courses available for
certain persons sixty years of age or over

PURPOSE:

This bill will permit the trustees of the State University to allow
senior citizens to take courses for credit, on a space-available
basis, without charge, at State-operated campuses.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Amends §355 of the Education Law to add for-credit courses (to a
maximum of nine credit hours per semester) to the existing provisions
which authorize senior citizens to audit courses, on a space
available basis, at no charge.

JUSTIFICATION:

In 1974, New York State took a giant step forward by adopting Chapter
1002 of the Laws of 1974 permitting senior citizens to audit courses
              

at the State University without tuition, examination or credit, on a
space available basis. On approving that legislation, the Governor
noted that, "Education can be a major factor in helping older people
maintain their mental alertness, [and] continue active participation
in the affairs of their communities. In many instances, however,
financial and formal educational barriers have rendered such
education opportunity inaccessible."

Although the 1974 law began an important step forward, senior citizens
have so far been denied the opportunity to further their education on
a for-credit basis.
This bill would extend to persons age 60 and over the ability to
attend courses at no charge at the State University, on a
space-available basis, while receiving credit for their course work.
This is a logical continuation of our efforts to integrate our
elderly collegians fully into the mainstream of academic life. It is
now time to make our students age 60 and over first-class citizens of
the University, entitled not only to the privileges of an auditor,
but also to the opportunities of full participation in their course
work.

HISTORY OF BILL:

See S.1388/A.3951 of 2009-2010, S.2510/A.4820 of 2007-08, S.2481/A.5079
of 2005-06, S.1532/A.3267 of 2003-04, S.2841/A.5383 of 2001-02,

S.1836/A.3165 of 1999-2000, S.2338/A.3768 of 1997-98, S.1631/A.11268
of 1995-96 S.2191/A.3788 of 1993-94, S.2751/A.4204 of 1991-1992 and
S.2052/A.3101 of 1989-1990. Has passed the Senate in varying versions
from 1980 through 2008.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no direct fiscal impact, since all attendance would be on a
space-available basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

April 1st next.