January 2010

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents confer degrees upon students completing programs at Taylor Business Institute and Bethel Seminary of the East?

Reason for Consideration

Required by State statute and State regulations.

Proposed Handling

The question will come before the Board of Regents at its December 2009 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken. 

Procedural History

On September 26, 2006, the State Education Department ordered the termination of all degree-granting programs at Taylor Business Institute at the end of the fall 2006 semester.  To hold students harmless, the Regents will continue to be asked to confer degrees for those students who completed programs at Taylor before the institution was closed.

Bethel Seminary of the East is a provisionally chartered institution and until such time as its charter is made absolute, Section 224 of the Education Law requires that the Regents award degrees on its behalf. 

Recommendation 

It is recommended that the Board of Regents confer upon the individuals listed, who have completed the requirements for their registered degree programs at Taylor Business Institute and Bethel Seminary of the East, the respective degrees as listed.

Information in Support of Recommendation

Taylor Business Institute

Taylor Business Institute was authorized by the Board of Regents on March 24, 1972 to grant the Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degree.  The Institute was purchased from ITT Educational Services, Inc. by Phillips Colleges, Inc. on April 13, 1988.  On January 31, 1997, TBIO, Inc. purchased Taylor Business Institute from Phillips Colleges, Inc. On April 4, 2002, the institute was purchased by the Benhem Company, Inc. (a New York corporation).  All academic awards are to be conferred on graduates by the Regents.  On September 26, 2006, the State Education Department ordered the termination of all degree-granting programs at the Institute at the end of the fall 2006 semester.  To hold students harmless, the Regents will continue to be asked to confer degrees for those students who completed programs at Taylor before the institution was closed.

              Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.)

3069.    Delaguila, Nicole

Bethel Seminary of the East

              Bethel Seminary of the East was granted a provisional charter by the Board of Regents on May 23, 2006, authorizing the Seminary to confer the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees. Until the Regents grant Bethel Seminary of the East an absolute charter, all academic awards are to be conferred on graduates by the Regents.                           

Master of Divinity (M. Div.)

2.  Figueroa, Jose

Advanced Certificate

                            3.  Gittens, Michael

                            4.  Wang, Jyy-Fen