Legislation of the Week: NYS Senate Bill 1046

NYS Senate Bill 1046

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the Charles L. Reason fellowship for the purpose of increasing faculty diversity in higher education in New York. 

Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-56) is sponsoring bill 1046 which would amend New York Education Law by adding a new section — §6457, establishing the Charles L. Reason Fellowship program. The main purpose of this program is to increase faculty diversity in N.Y. higher education. The grants offered by this program would be awarded to “degree-granting institutions in New York or to consortia of such institutions.” The institution will select which students will receive the grant, and those students will be titled as a “Charles L. Reason Undergraduate Fellow.” To be eligible for this grant, students must meet these standards: N.Y. Resident or meeting alternative requirements for non-residents, a minority historically underrepresented in the academic faculty context, interested in teaching at the collegiate level, having good academic standing and being a full-time student. After the fellow graduates, they qualify for a four year loan forgiveness program — awarding the fellows up to $10,000 per year. 

Bill S1046 is currently in the higher education committee. Sen. Samra Brouk (D-55), Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-26) and Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-33) has co-sponsored this bill, giving it a stronger chance of passing once it enters the voting floor. Bill S1046’s justification is to pave “a pathway for students with financial need who have demonstrated strong academic potential to succeed in doctoral studies and pursue careers in academia.” This bill was introduced in 2023 and has yet to be released from committee.