250-275 The first educational institution created by the State was the "Regents of the University of the State of New York", which was established by the Legislature in 1784. This institution was therefore established within a few months after the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States had been signed. This institution is one of the most unique of the educational institutions in the country. The history of its growth and development is one of unusual interest and is based upon the growth and development of the nation itself. It was the intention of the State in founding this institution to make it the directing and controlling power in the building and development of the State's educational system. The great purpose of the leaders of public affairs in the State in founding this institution was not attained, however, until after the institution had been in existence for nearly one hundred and thirty years. The name of this corporation was changed by the legislature in 1889 to "University of the State of New York", and the University was placed upon a permanent foundation when the people of the State, by popular vote, adopted the State constitution of 1894. This constitutional provision, the powers of the Regents under the provisions of the unification act of 1904 and the general powers conferred upon that body in the education law enabled the Board of Regents to make the University of the State of New York the administrative body which should exercise the powers of the Education Department. Under ordinances adopted istration of all the educational affairs of the State and th what its founders intended it should be when the State it in 1784. The provision of the constitution is as follows: ARTICLE IX Regents of the University.-§ 2. The corporation creat year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, under of The Regents of the University of the State of New hereby continued under the name of The University of t of New York. It shall be governed and its corporate which may be increased, modified or diminished by the Leg shall be exercised by not less than nine regents. Controlling Body.- The Regents are the controlling or ing body of the University. Chief Functions. The chief powers of the University administer the functions of the Education Department charter and inspect educational institutions, confer degrees, mine value of credentials, the value of institutions not University according to its standards, prescribe examination its secondary institutions which shall be a suitable standa graduation therefrom and of admission to college, and to s vise entrance requirements to the learned professions, an licensing and practice of such professions. Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. The chancellor is the siding officer of all meetings of the Regents and of the convoca He confers degrees authorized by the Regents, and fixes the and place of all special meetings of the Regents. When the chancellor is unable to perform any or all of his du they are performed by the vice-chancellor. Charter Educational Institutions.- The Board of Regents authority to incorporate any university, college, academy, libr museum, or other institution or association for the promotion science, literature, art, history, or other department of knowle under such terms as the law provides. The Regents may also, in their discretion, issue provisio charters, they may change the name of institutions which have be chartered, and they may, for valid reasons, suspend or revoke a charter which has been granted. UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 3 came Eshed the ame is ate rs, re,. n They may also amend the charter of any institution under their supervision. No institution of higher education may be incorporated by the Regents until such institution has been inspected by some officer of the University and approved by the Regents. The buildings, furniture and equipment must meet the Regents' requirements. Degree-Conferring Institutions.- No individual, association, corporation, or institution can legally confer degrees in this State unless express provision granting this power is given by a charter granted either by the State Legislature or by the Regents. No institution or association can transact business under, or assume in any way, the name of university or college without permission from the Regents. No institution can be authorized under the University law to confer degrees unless it has resources of at least $500,000. Crimes Under University Law.- Counterfeiting any credential issued under the seal of the University or making any unauthorized alteration in such credential is a felony. Any one personating another by attempting to take an examination in his name, or procuring a person thus falsely to personate another, or attempting in any way to obtain a record of having passed a Regents' examination in violation of the University regulations, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who aids or abets another in such violation is likewise guilty of the same crime. A person who has in his possession previous to an examination the question papers to be used in such examination when not contained. in their sealed wrappers or who sells or offers to sell a Regents' question paper in advance of an examination is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who fraudulently issues a Regents' credential, or who falsely represents himself as having received a degree or credential, or who appends without proper authorization to his name the letters representing any degree conferred by the University, is also guilty of a misdemeanor. University Credentials of High School Grade.- These credentials are the qualifying certificates, and the diplomas. Eight years of preacademic preparation or its equivalent is the prerequisite to the preliminary professional and all equivalent certificates. The qualifying certificates are the law student, medical student, dental student, optometry student, veterinary student, chiropody student, oral hygiene student, pharmacy student, and nurse student |