§ 942. Powers and duties of the council. 1. The council on
professional career opportunity shall have the following powers and
duties:

a. to recommend goals and objectives for the enrollment and graduation
of minority and disadvantaged students in public and independent
institutions of higher education offering professional education
programs;

b. to monitor and evaluate progress in increasing the representation
of minority and disadvantaged students in professional education
programs;

c. to advise the governor and the legislature on strategies to
increase access to professional careers and professional education
programs on the part of minority and disadvantaged persons;

d. to recommend revisions to laws, rules, and regulations to
effectuate the purposes of this article;

e. to accept and expend any grants, awards, or other funds or
appropriations as may be available to the council to effectuate the
purposes of this chapter.

2. At the request of the council, institutions of higher education
offering professional education programs shall furnish to the council
such reports and information as it may require to effectuate the
purposes of this article.

3. The council shall, by February first, nineteen hundred eighty-six
and annually thereafter, submit a written report to the governor and the
legislature setting forth the recommendations and activities of the
council on matters within the scope of its powers as set forth in the
article, describing progress made in achieving goals and objectives.

4. The council shall study and advise the governor and the legislature
on the problems of recruitment, enrollment, and retention of minority
and disadvantaged students in professional education programs.

5. The council shall appoint such officers, agents, consultants, and
special committees it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of
this article.

6. For the purpose of advising and assisting the council in carrying
out its powers and duties in regard to medical education there is hereby
established an advisory committee on medical education comprised of
eleven members. The members and chairperson of the advisory committee
shall be selected by the chairperson of the council and shall include
representatives of public and independent institutions of higher
education offering an approved program in medicine and physicians
authorized or licensed to practice medicine within the state of New
York. The membership of the advisory committee shall include minority
representation.