BILL NUMBER: S627
SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to trustees of the state
university and city university
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill ensures that Gubernatorial and Mayoral appointments to the
State University and City University Boards of Trustees are independent
of the appointing entities.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends subdivision 1 of section 353 of the education law, as
amended by chapter 268 of the laws of 2011; prohibits a member of the
State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees from serving on
the Board if such member is not serving at the pleasure of the Governor.
Additionally, this section provides an exemption for ex-officio members
and classified civil service employees.
Section 2. Amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 6204 of the
education law, as added by chapter 305 of the laws of 1979; prohibits a
member of the City University of New York (CUNY) Board of Trustees from
serving on the Board if such member is .not serving at the pleasure of
the Mayor or the Governor. Additionally, this section provides an
exemption for ex-officio members and classified civil service employees.
Section 3. Sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The SUNY Board of Trustees consists of eighteen members, fifteen of whom
are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The three remaining members are ex-officio and consist of the President
of the SUNY Student Assembly (ex-officio and voting); the President of
the University Faculty Senate (ex-officio and non-voting; and the Presi-
dent of the Faculty Council of Community Colleges (ex-officio and
nonvoting).
The CUNY Board of Trustees consists of seventeen members. Ten of whom
are appointed by the governor and five of whom are appointed by the
mayor of New York City. All such appointments are made upon the advice
and consent of the Senate. The two remaining Trustees are ex-officio and
consist of the Chairperson of the University Student Senate (ex-officio
and voting) and the Chairperson of the University Faculty Senate (ex-of-
ficio and non-voting).
This bill will ensure that individuals appointed to the SUNY and CONY
Boards of Trustees will be able to serve free from political influence
or pressure from those that appoint them. Our public college systems
deserve governing boards that make decisions solely based on the best
interests of the colleges.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: A.8438/S.7383 - Referred to Higher Education.
2023-2024: A.5150/S3473 - Referred to Higher Education.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to the State
University of New York and the City University of New York trustees
appointed on or after such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S627: 353 education law, 353(1) education law, 6204 education law, 6204(2) education law