Meeting of the Board of Regents | June 2007

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents grant the new owners of Technical Career Institutes (TCI) degree-granting authority?

Reason for Consideration

              Required by State regulation.

Proposed Handling

This question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its June 2007 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It will then come before the full Board at its June 2007 meeting for final action.

Procedural History

Regents Rule 3.46(b) stipulates that, following a change of ownership and control, a for-profit, degree-granting institution enters a transition period until it demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, compliance with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to degree-granting institutions in New York. During this period, degree-granting authority reverts to the Board of Regents. This occurred following the assumption of ownership and control of Technical Career Institutes by EVCI Career Colleges Holding Corporation (EVCI).

Background

On November 14, 2006, a peer review team conducted a follow-up visit to TCI to review areas for action and continuing compliance under the new owner referenced in the draft Compliance Review Report based on the September 19-20, 2005 peer review visit and other actions that TCI has taken on the recommendations included in the draft report. The team found TCI to be in compliance and recommended renewal of accreditation for five years and approved a change in scope of accreditation reflecting the change in the TCI’s ownership. On May 22, 2007, the Board voted to renew Technical Career Institutes’ accreditation with condition.

Staff reviewed the findings of the Institutional Accreditation Compliance Review Report and found Technical Career Institutes meets the standards for registration of its curricula. The programs were reregistered on May 23, 2007.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents authorize Technical Career Institutes, effective June 26, 2007, to confer Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees upon students successfully completing registered programs at that institution.

Timetable for Implementation

This authorization of degree-granting authority would take effect immediately.