A02225 Summary:

BILL NO    A02225 

SAME AS    No same as

SPONSOR    Peoples-Stokes (MS)

COSPNSR    Cook, John, Rivera P, Kellner, Maisel, Schroeder, Clark, Robinson,
           Espaillat

MLTSPNSR   Boyland, Jaffee, Jeffries

Add Art 5 Part 1-B SS244-a - 244-c, Ed L

Establishes the university at Buffalo institute for African American studies;
appropriates $100,000 therefor.

A02225 Actions:

BILL NO    A02225 

01/15/2009 referred to higher education
01/06/2010 referred to higher education

A02225 Votes:

A02225 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A2225

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
establishing the university at Buffalo institute for African American
studies; and making an appropriation therefor

 PURPOSE : The purpose of this bill is to establish an African
American Research Institute at the State University of New York at
Buffalo.  The African American Research Institute will engage students
in intellectual collaborations, address contemporary issues which
confront peoples of African American descent, and sponsor lectures,
conferences, workshops and publications related to African American
issues.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS : To amend Section 1. Article 5 of the
education law by adding a new part I-B. Part 1-B creates Section
244-a, which defines the University at Buffalo Research Institute for
African American Studies. Section 244-b defines the purpose of the
Research Institute for African American Studies. Section 244-c defines
funding and reporting for Research Institute for African American
Studies.  Section 244-c establishes that the University at Buffalo's
Research Institute for African American Studies shall annually submit
a complete and detailed report to the Chancellor of the State
University, the president of the State University at Buffalo, director
of the budget, the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Higher Education
committees, the chair of the Senate Finance committee and the chair of
the Assembly ways and Means committee.

 JUSTIFICATION : An Institute for African American Studies will employ
a variety of innovative methodologies, transforming the social
sciences and legitimizing race as a salient and important theme,
worthy of further exploration. The creation of an Institute for
African American Studies can draw upon a body of literature and the
tradition of the field to create a forum that will facilitate the
ability of scholars from various departments to engage in
interdisciplinary transnational scholarship and intellectual
collaborations. The Institute will bring together scholars, students
and practitioners, who conduct research in the U.S., Asia, the
Caribbean, Europe, Latin American and Africa. Among major reputable
research institutions in the US, none lack a research center in
African American Studies; furthermore, there is no such institute at
any of the SUNY research centers. Since the University at Buffalo is a
major research center in the SUNY system situated in a region that is
saturated in palpable African American History (i.e. Niagara Movement,
Underground Railroad, Colored Musicians Club, etc.) history, the
University at Buffalo is poised to undertake and propel such an
institute.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : Bill 9423 of 2007/2008 session

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : The sum of one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be appropriated
to the University at Buffalo for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this act.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.