NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3081
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to renaming the state aid
for certain independent institutions of higher learning to the Leonard
P. Stavisky student success grants
PURPOSE:
To amend the education law, in relation to renaming the state aid for
certain independent institutions of higher learning to the Leonard P.
Stavisky student success grants
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section heading for "state aid for certain independent
institutions of higher learning" of section 6401 of the education law,
as amended by the chapter 186 of the laws of 1977 to "Leonard P. Stavi-
sky Student Success Grants."
Section 2 adds a new paragraph (a) to subdivision 2 to section 6401 of
the education law to require that the independent institution of higher
learning must submit a report on the use of apportionment and how it
supports student success.
Section 3 adds language to subdivision 2 of section 6401 of the educa-
tion law that the sponsoring college must demonstrate in their report
the use of apportionment and how it supported student success.
Section 4 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
State aid for certain independent institutions of higher learning has a
storied history of supporting student success in New York. This program
was created based on the work of the Select Committee on the Future of
Private and Independent Higher Education in New York State that high-
lighted the need to support a broad range of educational options across
the state by supporting private, not-for-profit colleges and universi-
ties. The committee studied private colleges and found:
"the value of these institutions to New York is so great that such
assistance is justified. And we believe that without it there is likely
to be serious deterioration in one of the state's greatest assets-her
remarkable array of strong and diversified private colleges and univer-
sities."
The Select Committee's report proposed that the state provide aid,
referred to as Bundy Aid after the author of the report, to help
students by increasing affordability and strengthening the academic
offerings of campuses in every region. This aid has fulfilled its
purpose for over half a century and has helped tens of thousands of New
Yorkers earn a higher education. Funding levels are based on the number
of degrees an institution awards, incentivizing institutions to ensure
that students graduate and earn degrees.
Despite the program's 54 years of success, funding has been mired at a
level significantly below what is statutorily authorized, and the true
purpose of the program is not always readily apparent. That is why the
state should make clear what the program does by properly naming it.
This funding supports student success, properly naming it as a Student
Success Grant and requiring that participating institutions report on
how the aid was used to support student success will clarify both the
purpose and provide confidence that students are benefiting.
Leonard P. Stavisky was an educator and leader who understood the trans-
formative power of learning. He was a graduate of City College and
earned master's and doctorate degrees from Columbia University. He
worked as a professor and college administrator. His career in higher
education included teaching roles at Colgate University, Long Island
University, Hofstra University, five CONY campuses, three SONY campuses,
Virginia Tech, Chapman College, and Columbia University's School of
International and Public Affairs. Stavisky was also a higher education
administrator who helped ensure student success at Queensborough Commu-
nity College.
Leonard Stavisky's policy work in education left a lasting impact. He
served as the Commissioner on the Education Commission of the States,
and the Chairman of the Educational and Labor Committee of the National
Conference of State Legislatures. In that capacity, he helped negotiate
provisions that were incorporated in the establishment of the U.S.
Department of Education. He received the John Dewey Award from the
United Federation of Teachers, and the Laverne Burchfield Award from the
American Society for Public Administration. He also served in the State
Assembly and Senate.
He was a noted scholar. Much of his work focused on Black history,
particularly in the Antebellum South, before and during the civil rights
movement's national success. His scholarly work appeared in national
publications including the American Historical Review, Political Science
Quarterly, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social
Science, Public Administration Review, State Legislatures, American
Economic Review, The Journal of African American History, and the Jewish
Press, among others.
Leonard P. Stavisky embodied the opportunity that higher education
represents for students. He used his education to benefit his community
and create opportunities for others. His commitment to student success
was highlighted by his work as a legislator and educator.
Properly naming the state aid for certain independent colleges and
universities the "Leonard P. Stavisky Student Success Grant" will
provide an example for students to follow while ensuring the program
remains focused on the goals it has achieved for over fifty years.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S634 Comrie/ A2601 Hyndman
2022: S9172- PASSED SENATE, died in assembly.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.
