New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A10484

Introduced
3/6/26  

Caption

Relates to the membership of the board of trustees of the state university of New York

Impact

The modification of the board's composition is intended to diversify the perspectives involved in the decision-making processes at SUNY, which serves a significant number of New York's higher education students. By including voices from university staff and alumni, the bill seeks to better align governance with the needs and concerns of the educational community. However, this change also raises concerns regarding how power dynamics within the board may shift and the effectiveness of these new members in fulfilling their roles alongside traditional gubernatorial appointees.

Summary

Bill A10484 proposes significant amendments to the governance structure of the State University of New York (SUNY) by restructuring the board of trustees. The bill reduces the number of trustees appointed by the governor from fifteen to ten, while introducing new appointments from other legislative and university bodies. Notably, the bill stipulates that one trustee will be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, another by the temporary president of the senate, and additional appointments will be made through majority votes of SUNY and CUNY staff and alumni. This aims to enhance representation from various stakeholders within the higher education system.

Contention

There are points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding concerns over the reduction of gubernatorial appointments. Critics argue that limiting the governor's influence could lead to a governance structure that is less accountable and potentially influenced by more localized political shifts, which might not always align with the broader educational goals of the state. Proponents, however, argue that broader representation could lead to better-informed decisions that reflect the needs of students and faculty, and this structure would be more responsive to the diverse population served by universities.

Companion Bills

NY S01234

Same As Relates to the membership of the board of trustees of the state university of New York; reduces the number of trustees appointed by the governor from fifteen to ten; adds one trustee appointment by the speaker of the assembly, one by the temporary president of the senate, one by a majority vote of SUNY and CUNY staff, and two by a majority vote of SUNY alumni.

Previously Filed As

NY S09218

Adds members to the board of trustees of the state university of New York who represent the interests of community colleges as full voting members of the board of trustees; provides that the local legislative body or board of the county in which a community college is located may appoint a trustee in the event that the governor fails to appoint such trustee within 180 days of a vacancy on a board of trustees of a community college.

NY A10204

Adds members to the board of trustees of the state university of New York who represent the interests of community colleges as full voting members of the board of trustees; provides that the local legislative body or board of the county in which a community college is located may appoint a trustee in the event that the governor fails to appoint such trustee within 180 days of a vacancy on a board of trustees of a community college.

NY S07784

Requires that the state university of New York's board of trustees and the city university of New York's board of trustees shall each adopt a policy requiring all state university of New York, city university of New York, college, and community college campuses that offer membership programs to the general public for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities, to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other charges, or at a discounted rate; defines "disabled veteran".

NY A06001

Requires that the state university of New York's board of trustees and the city university of New York's board of trustees shall each adopt a policy requiring all state university of New York, city university of New York, college, and community college campuses that offer membership programs to the general public for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities, to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other charges, or at a discounted rate; defines "disabled veteran".

NY S09684

Requires the trustees of The State University of New York to develop a SUNY-wide zero waste action plan.

NY S09252

Directs the chair of the board of trustees of the city university of New York shall conduct an audit of such university's participation in retirement systems and issue a report thereon.

NY A10565

Directs the chair of the board of trustees of the city university of New York shall conduct an audit of such university's participation in retirement systems and issue a report thereon.

NY SB259

University of South Alabama; membership of Board of Trustees revised, meetings of the board further provided for

NY S07367

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.

NY A04679

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.