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Board of Regents Meeting Visitor Policy

I. Responsibilities of the Presiding Officer or Committee Chair

The Presiding Officer or Committee Chair is responsible for maintaining order and decorum during all public sessions of the Board of Regents. They are authorized to take appropriate action to ensure meetings are conducted in a respectful, safe, and orderly manner, in accordance with the expectations outlined below.

II. Public Conduct Expectations at Board Meetings

We encourage members of the public to attend our meetings or view them online. All guests attending meetings of the Board of Regents are expected to adhere to the following standards of conduct:

  • Remain Quiet and Seated: Guests must remain quiet and seated throughout the meeting unless briefly standing to applaud or exit the room.
  • Respectful Behavior: All guests are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not disrupt the meeting or interfere with the deliberative process. This includes refraining from shouting, interrupting speakers, making excessive noise, blocking the view or movement of others, or otherwise disturbing the proceedings. Items such as signs, placards, or similar materials may not be used or displayed in a way that obstructs views, impedes access, or causes disruption. If such items are deemed disruptive, guests will be asked to remove them from the meeting room.
  • Restricted Seating: Chairs designated for Regents may only be occupied by Regents and Department Officers, unless a guest is expressly invited to join the table. At no time may a guest sit in a Regent’s seat without invitation.
  • Clear Pathways and Exits: For safety and compliance with fire codes, areas of ingress and egress including space between rows and approaching entrances and exits must remain unobstructed. Guests may not block doorways, aisles, or the flow of foot traffic.
  • Restricted Areas: Guests may not enter or occupy areas surrounding the Board table, areas reserved for videography and translators, or any section marked off by stanchions, ropes, or barriers.

III. Enforcement of Meeting Decorum Policy

To preserve the integrity and orderly conduct of Board proceedings, the following enforcement procedures will be observed:

  • The Presiding Officer or Committee Chair—whichever individual is leading the meeting—has the authority to take enforcement action at any time to preserve order and decorum. Enforcement may be carried out in coordination with the Board Secretary, NYSED Security, or a designated Department Officer.
  • Guests who violate these expectations will receive a verbal warning and given a reasonable opportunity to modify their actions in order to avoid interference with the meeting and the deliberative process. If the behavior continues, the individual(s) will be directed to leave the premises.
  • If a guest poses a threat to safety or refuses to comply, NYSED Security will notify law enforcement. In such cases, the meeting may be temporarily adjourned until the matter is resolved.

IV. Communicating with the Board of Regents

The Board of Regents welcomes public engagement and values input on its work. Individuals may communicate with the Board through the following channels:

  • Written Correspondence: Members of the public may contact individual Regents by mail or email. Contact information is available at https://www.regents.nysed.gov/members.
  • Materials for Distribution: Printed materials intended for Board review may be submitted to the Board Secretary for distribution by email at RegentsOffice@nysed.gov or by mail to Board of Regents, Room 110 EB, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234.

Commenting on Proposed Regulations

Proposed changes to State Education Department regulations are governed by the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA). SAPA provides for public participation in rulemaking primarily through two procedures:

  • Public Notice: Proposed regulations are filed with the Department of State and published in the New York State Register.
  • Comment: Members of the public are invited to submit written comments during the specified public comment periods:
    • 60 days for initial proposed regulations
    • 45 days for revised proposed regulations

Details on current proposals, comment deadlines, and instructions for submitting feedback are available on the State Education Department’s website and in the New York State Register. All comments received during the designated periods are considered during the regulatory review process.