Requires the state university of New York and the city university of New York to adopt certain provisions related to student mental health such as administering student mental health surveys, establishing a mental health committee, administering mental health training to faculty and staff, and improving university policies regarding mental health.
This bill provides free tuition and fees at SUNY, CUNY, and New York community colleges for New York state residents who serve as active volunteer firefighters. To qualify, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete their degree within 3-5 years, and continue serving as volunteer firefighters throughout their studies. The program covers only tuition and fees for one undergraduate degree, requiring students to first apply for existing tuition assistance programs. Failure to meet requirements (like GPA or service hours) converts the tuition to a loan with interest. Students remain responsible for housing, books, and other non-tuition costs.
Provides for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; continues a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; continues work-life services and pre-tax programs; continues a professional development committee; continues a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; continues a fee mitigation fund; continues a downstate location fund; continues a joint labor management advisory board; continues an accidental death benefit; makes an appropriation therefor.
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.
Establishes the Black history preservation commission to ensure the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state within the state university of New York.
Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.
Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.
Provides for the trustees of the state university of New York to establish a four-year college of engineering and applied sciences in the city of Yonkers within the state university system.
Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.
Includes active duty military and certain veterans going to college under the new GI bill in the definition of resident as it relates to community colleges and state-aided four-year colleges.
