Advisory Council Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2008
Advisory Council Meeting
Lincoln Technical Institute
Whitestone, Queens
April 2, 2008
Council Members in Attendance:
Michael J. Hatten | Acting Chair |Global Business Institute
Rabbi Yerachmiel Barash | Member | Cope Institute
Vincent J. Ferrara | Member | American Training Center
James M. Devaney | Member | Higher Education Development Corp.
Matthew Downey | Ex. Officio | HESC
Lisa Harris | Ex. Officio | Consumer Protection Board
Carole W. Yates | Ex. Officio | SED- BPSS
Call to Order:
Michael Hatten called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. Mr. Hatten thanked Mr. James Morrissey, Director of Lincoln Technical Institute, for hosting the meeting. Mr. Morrissey welcomed the participants and introduced several of his management teams. Mr. Hatten made a suggestion to acknowledge Karen Bogucki of the State Comptroller’s office for her many years of active participation and contributions to the Advisory Council as an Ex. Officio, as she is no longer serving.
Minutes:
Matthew Downey asked that his name be removed from a statement attributed to him erroneously regarding “unlicensed schools” in the Open Items/Follow-up section of the agenda. Michael Hatten made a motion to approve and was seconded by Vincent Ferrara to accept the Minutes as amended and prepared by Bill Kahn of GBI; accepted unanimously. Carole Yates will have them posted on the SED website.
Overview of Agenda:
Presented by Michael Hatten.
BPSS Update and Status Report:
Carole Yates, BPSS Director, presented. The Albany staff is settling in to their new facilities.
The Bureau is making an effort to secure funding to build a web-based computer system, by borrowing $3 million that would be repaid over time from proposed revenues.
Responding to a request by member schools, the BPSS held a workshop on April 1, 2008 on the difference between “Trade and Business Classifications” with a focus toward identifying and moving toward common ground. Monica Borden presented to fifty attendees.
An extensive investigation by the office of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is underway regarding home health training programs. Fraud has been identified in the issuing of certifications.
The proposed changes to the Education Law and passage of same continue to be a priority for the Bureau.
Open Items/Follow-up:
Michael Hatten opened a discussion on Council support for BPSS borrowing funds for the computer system; a letter to Carole Yates from the Chairman was distributed to the Council. James Devaney agreed with the general spirit, but also was concerned with the overall funding of BPSS and suggested raising fees. David Brieff, BPSS Associate, confirmed that New York has the lowest initial school licensing fees in the country. The fees have not changed since the 1990’s. He also suggested that the low fee also encourages schools to apply that are only contemplating gaining a license and are not fully prepared to successfully complete the entire process. Michael Hatten reported on the State Commission K-16 Action Plan. He was concerned that our sector was not represented in the initiative. Mr. Hatten read a draft letter to Joel Klein, New York City Public Schools Chancellor, highlighting the successful outcomes directly related to career school education. The Council agreed to have the letter sent after it is reviewed by the members. Carole Yates announced that the Bureau is preparing an industry profile “…who we are and what we do well.” Michael Hatten reported on the status of Council membership appointments. Two names have been submitted by Joe Frey, SED Associate Commissioner, with the endorsement of Mr. Hatten. Rabbi Barash, although understanding the urgency to forward candidates’ names, encouraged Mr. Hatten to make every effort to consult/inform members in advance. The comment was noted and accepted by Chairman Hatten.
Guest Speaker:
Michael Hatten introduced Anthony Bieda, Director of Regulatory Affairs of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), visiting from Washington, D.C. Mr. Bieda started with an overview of the merits of national accreditation. His discussion was supported by handouts focusing on the rigors and benefits of becoming and maintaining ACICS technical/professional/occupation accreditation through the application of criteria. A discussion ensued on the value of attaining accreditation beyond access to Title IV funding.
Council Member Comments:
Lisa Harris, Consumer Protection Board, distributed a draft hard copy PowerPoint presentation and “rights” flier prepared for prospective students, educators, and community advocates to be used in choosing a “licensed” career school.
Audience Comments and Questions:
Frank Talty, The Refrigeration Institute, thinks the Council should go directly to Bill Gates for funding consideration based on his organizations’ public interest in the K through 16 Initiative program.
Terry Zaleski, NYS Coalition Executive Director, announced that the next annual convention will be in November, 2008. The exact date and location will be posted in the near future.
Next Meeting Date:
The next meeting will be posted on the SED website.