BILL NUMBER:S3807

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
authorizing persons over age sixty-five to enroll in a limited number
of SUNY credit hours without tuition

PURPOSE:

This bill will permit persons over the age of sixty-five to take
courses for credit, on a space-available basis, without charge, at
State University of New York campuses.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Amends § 355 of the Education Law to allow persons over sixty-five
years of age to receive up to a maximum of nine credit hours per
semester for courses taken at the State University of New York at no
charge, on a space available basis.

JUSTIFICATION:

In 1974, New York State adopted Chapter 1002 of the Laws of 1974
permitting persons over the age of sixty 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 under this program to further
their education on a for-credit basis. This bill would extend to
persons age sixty-five 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 older collegians fully into the
mainstream of academic life.

Not only will older students benefit from fully participating in the
courses offered at the State University of New York, they will bring a
broad range of lifetime experiences to the classroom, thereby
enriching the education of all students.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill. Earlier versions have passed the Senate multiple
times from 1980 through 2008.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

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

LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:


None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.