NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Higher Education – Public Hearing

SUBJECT: The Changing Demographics of Students in Higher Education and Educational

PURPOSE: To examine the changing demographics of students in higher education and Opportunity Programs explore potential ways in which colleges and universities could better serve New York State students.

Albany, New York
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
10:30 a.m.
Roosevelt Hearing Room C
Legislative Office Building

The demographics of the student population in higher education have changed drastically over the last several decades. The “traditional” college student, one who enrolls in college immediately after high school graduation, pursues a degree on a continuous full-time basis, and completes a degree program in four years, is becoming the exception. Today’s college students are more likely to be financially independent; need remediation; delay college enrollment; enroll in college part-time; be employed full-time; have children; be single parents; or be first- generation college students. These characteristics can become barriers to college success. It is crucial that colleges and universities adjust to better serve their students as demographics continue to shift. The role colleges and universities play in the advisement of students, the offering of support services, and providing academic interventions often make the difference in the academic success of these students.

In the 2015-16 State budget, the Legislature provided funding to support several existing programs that offer support services to college students, including $119 million for the various opportunity programs (EOP, HEOP, SEEK, College Discovery, STEP, CSTEP, Liberty Partnership Program); $2.1 million for the SUNY child care centers; $1.7 million for the CUNY child care centers; $2.5 million for the for the Accelerated Study in Associate (ASAP) Programs at CUNY; and $1.5 million for the Graduate Achievement and Placement (GAP) Program at SUNY. In addition, two new programs were established to provide special assistance to college students. Approximately $1.5 million in funding was allocated to create the Foster Youth College Success Initiative, which provides support services to assist youth in foster care apply for, enroll in, and succeed in college. The State budget also established a total of five community school grants, three at SUNY and two at CUNY, to improve student outcomes through the implementation of community schools programs that use community college facilities as community hubs to deliver co-located or college-linked child and elder care services, transportation, health care services, family counseling, employment counseling, legal aid and/or other services to students and their families.

This hearing will seek testimony on these programs and any program that a college, State agency, or community based organization has implemented that has proven to be successful in helping students thrive in the postsecondary academic environment. In addition, this hearing will seek testimony regarding recent trends in student enrollment and demographics; the efficiency and effectiveness of support programs; the potential for expansion of support programs; ways in which colleges can improve peer support; modifications that could be made to part-time TAP to increase participation and its effectiveness; any gaps in support services that remain; the impact of support programs on student outcomes; and additional ways New York State can help improve retention and graduation rates at our colleges and universities. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes’ duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee’s interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Hon. Deborah J. Glick
Member of Assembly
Committee on Higher Education
Chairperson