THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

 

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Kathy A. Ahearn
SUBJECT:	Amendment to the Rules of the Board of Regents Concerning the Name and Scope of Responsibilities of the Committee on Quality
DATE:	February 24, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 1 through 5
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

Summary

 

 

Issue for Decision

 

          Should the Board of Regents adopt the proposed amendment of section 3.2 of Rules of the Board of Regents to change the name and responsibilities of the Committee on Quality?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

 

            Implementation of policy.

 

Proposed Handling

 

The proposed amendment will come before the Full Board in March for adoption as an emergency action, effective March 28, 2006.  A Statement of Facts and Circumstances Which Necessitate Emergency Action is attached.

 

Procedural History

 

The proposed amendment was discussed by the Committee on Quality at the February Regents meeting.

 

Background Information

 

          The proposed amendment will conform the Rules of the Board of Regents to a change in the committee structure of the Board of Regents so that the Board may more effectively meet its statutory responsibilities.  The existing Committee on Quality will be abolished and a new Committee on Policy Integration and Innovation will be established.  The Committee on Policy Integration will have the following functions:

 

• provides a forum for debate and recommendation on innovation and  cross-cutting issues;

 

• identifies policy research, evaluation needs and implementation strategies;

 

• plans Board retreats and training;

 

• plans the periodic evaluation of the Commissioner by the Board;

 

• guides the creation of the 24-month calendar; and

 

• monitors implementation of Board priorities.

 

Supporting materials are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents.

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Board of Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED: That subdivision (a) and paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 3.2 of the Rules of the Board of Regents be amended, as submitted, effective March 28, 2006 as an emergency action upon a finding of the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare in order to ensure that the Rules of the Board of Regents are immediately brought into conformance with changes in the Department's internal organization, so that the newly established Committee on Policy Integration and Innovation may assume its responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner. 

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

          The effective date of the emergency adoption is March 28, 2006.  It is anticipated that the emergency adoption will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption as a permanent rule at their May 22-23, 2006 meeting, which is the first scheduled meeting after expiration of the 45-day public comment period mandated by the State Administrative Procedure Act.

AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

          Pursuant to Education Law section 207

1.  Subdivision (a) of section 3.2 of the Rules of the Board of Regents is amended, effective March 28, 2006, as follows:

(a)  The chancellor shall appoint the following standing committees and designate the leadership of each committee:

(1)  [Quality] Policy Integration and Innovation.

(2)  .   .   .

(3)  .   .   .

(4)  .   .   .

(5)  .   .   .

2.  Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 3.2 of the Rules of the Board of Regents is amended, effective March 28, 2006:

(1)  [Committee on Quality]  Committee on Policy Integration and Innovation:

          (i)  [guides the strategic planning effort of the Board of Regents] provides a forum for debate and recommendation on innovation and  cross-cutting issues;

(ii)  [recommends improvements in the structure, operations and staff support of the board] identifies policy research, evaluation needs and implementation strategies;

(iii)  plans board retreats and training; [and]

(iv)  plans the periodic evaluation of the commissioner by the board;

(v)  guides the creation of the 24-month calendar; and

 

(vi)  monitors implementation of board priorities.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3.2 OF THE RULES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS PURSUANT TO EDUCATION LAW SECTION 207, RELATING TO THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH NECESSITATE EMERGENCY ACTION

The proposed amendment is necessary to conform the Rules of the Board of Regents to a change in the committee structure of the Board of Regents so that the Board may more effectively meet its statutory responsibilities to determine the educational policies of the State and to carry out the laws and policies of the State relating to education.  The existing Committee on Quality will be abolished and a new Committee on Policy Integration and Innovation will be established.

The recommended action is being proposed as an emergency measure because such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare in order to ensure that the Rules of the Board of Regents are immediately brought into conformance with changes in the Department's internal organization, so that the newly established Committee on Policy Integration and Innovation may assume its responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner. 

It is anticipated that the proposed rule will be presented to the Board of Regents for adoption as a permanent rule at their May 22-23, 2006 meeting, which is the first scheduled meeting after expiration of the 45-day public comment period mandated by the State Administrative Procedure Act.