The state Education Department's role in approving new college degree programs has become a sticking point in the higher education portion of the state budget.
Under current law, the department must approve new programs, and the review process can sometimes take years.
Cuomo's proposal, which the Republican-led State Senate has embraced, is to scrap the review process, allowing the SUNY and CUNY board of trustees or private colleges' boards to approve the new programs, as long as the institutions are properly accredited. There would be exceptions for "master plan amendments"—major changes such as opening a new department or school.
But Assembly Democrats side with state education department officials, arguing that the review process provides quality control that would be jeopardized under Cuomo's plan.
Read more at Capital: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/03/8564449/state-review-college-degree-programs-issue-budget