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Master Plan Amendment: State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville, Norwich Campus, Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Program in Early Childhood
Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)
The question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its May 2006 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken. It will then come before the full Board at its May meeting for final action.
Master plan amendment is required because this would be the College’s first Associate degree program in the discipline of Education offered at the Norwich campus.
The State University Board of Trustees, at its November 9, 2005 meeting, adopted a resolution to amend the State University Master Plan to authorize the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville, Norwich Campus, to offer instruction leading to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Early Childhood in the discipline area of Education.  A master plan amendment is necessary as the proposed program will be the College’s first degree program in the MPA discipline of Education at the Norwich campus.    The Early Childhood program is intended for delivery at the Norwich Campus only.
The Department has determined that the proposed program, if approved, would meet the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
It is recommended that the Board of Regents amend the master plan of the State University of New York authorizing the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville, Norwich Campus, to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Early Childhood.
This amendment will be effective until May 31, 2007, unless the program is registered by the Department prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.
Information in Support of Recommendation
The proposed program leading to the A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood will prepare graduates to enter the workforce as professionals in the field of Early Childhood.  Students in the proposed program will complete 65 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.   The College reports that the curriculum was developed using standards proposed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for Associate Degree programs for Early Childhood.  The program requirements include courses in the major, one-third of the courses in the liberal arts and sciences to fulfill the A.A.S. degree requirement in this area, and two field placement experiences. Students will be required to develop and maintain a comprehensive portfolio during the course of their program of study to assist them in their career planning and preparation.
Applicants to the proposed program must have a minimum high school average in the C to C+ range and placement into English 101 and Math 102.  Students who do not meet minimum requirements in the required math and language arts courses will be required to successfully complete the recommended college preparatory courses before being admitted to the program.
SUNY Morrisville anticipates a first year enrollment of 10 students in the proposed program, growing to 25 to 30 students by the fifth year.  The College expects the proposed program to attract students who are primarily residents of Chenango County (85 percent) and contiguous counties (15 percent).  It expects a largely female student population of traditional and non-traditional age students.
SUNY Morrisville has allocated appropriate resources for the implementation and continuation of the program. The proposed program will be offered in the College’s new Norwich facility, Roger W. Follett Hall, a 37,000 square foot, state of the art facility with the capacity for approximately 1,000 students.  No new or special equipment will be required.  Funds are allocated for expenses related to personnel, supplies and the library.
All faculty listed for the proposed program have master’s degrees in education and experience in Early Childhood/Childhood Education.  The College expects to hire one additional full-time faculty member with appropriate credentials to coordinate the program. In keeping with standard practice, a canvass was conducted of institutions of higher education in the Central region.  There were five responses to the canvass; all responses supported the program.
SUNY Morrisville has offered “extension” classes in Norwich since 1969 and received branch campus status in 1993.  Its primary service area is Chenango County, population 51,404, (2000 Census) and it is the only postsecondary entity with a physical presence in this county.
There is evidence of demand for the proposed program.  The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in childcare will continue to grow at a faster than average pace with 150 new openings per year in the Southern Tier region of the State. The Chenango County Child Care Coordinating Council expressed strong support for the program, stating that the demand for quality childcare far exceeds the supply in the community.