Report of Regents Cultural Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Committee on Cultural Education had its scheduled meeting on September 9, 2019. Regent Roger Tilles and Regent Judith Johnson, Co-Chairs of the Cultural Education Committee, submitted the following written report. In attendance were committee members: Regent Tilles, Co-Chair, Regent Johnson, Co-Chair, Regent Cea, Regent Cottrell, Regent Ouderkirk and Regent Mead. Regents, in addition to Cultural Education Committee members, in attendance were: Chancellor Rosa, Vice Chancellor Brown, Regent Cashin, Regent Norwood, Regent Collins, Regent Hakanson, Regent Reyes, and Regent Mittler. Also, in attendance were Interim Commissioner Beth Berlin and Counsel Shannon Tahoe.  

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Co-Chairs Regent Tilles and Regent Johnson welcomed everyone. Deputy Commissioner Schaming provided a brief overview of the Office of Cultural Education’s history and the importance of each of its program areas: the State Archives, the State Library, the State Museum, State Summer School of the Arts, and Public Broadcasting.

Libraries and the 2020 Census - [CE (D) 1]

Lauren Moore, State Librarian, discussed how public libraries will play a critical role in the 2020 census. In 2020, the United States will hold its first digital census, which raises concerns for digital equity advocates because nearly 35% of U.S. adults do not have internet at home. Libraries in New York understand that they will be a key determining factor in creating the most accurate count possible in 2020. Libraries are already a critical site for internet access and support for digitally marginal populations.

Overview of Consent Agenda Item

Deputy Commissioner Mark Schaming presented an overview of the Permanent Adoption of Amendment to the Commissioner’s Regulations Relating to Educational Broadcast Councils and Radio Stations item scheduled on the consent agenda for approval at the Tuesday, September 10 Full Board meeting.