New York State Task Force on Financing Higher Education Research and Report Files

Arranged by record type (statements, draft reports, staff papers, etc.).

Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed this Task Force on October 7, 1972 to study laws regarding and methods of financing public and private higher education.

The Task Force was specifically charged to study: fiscal problems of private institutions of higher education; financing of public institutions of higher education; problems of student tuition scholarships and other student aid programs; public-private cooperation to improve resource utilization; and regional arrangements of higher education resources to get maximum effectivenss from public and private funds for higher education.

The Task Force, chaired by former U.S. Commissioner of Education Francis Keppel, conferred with representatives of public and private educational institutions, citizens' groups, and experts on state and local financing. Among the recommendations presented by the Task Force in its final report (March 5, 1973) were: a "student bill of rights" guaranteeing up to two years of access to higher education with the necessary financial support, and two more years if academically qualified; low income students to get sufficient public funds to cover four years of tuition; establish a statewide planning council for post-secondary education under the aegis of the Board of Regents; the Governor should nominate members of the Board of Regents for confirmation by the Legislature; increase state funding of and responsibility for governance of the City University of New York and community colleges; and strengthen individual campus autonomy by reducing unnecessary administrative regulations and supervision.

This series is the central file of background and research materials maintained by the Task Force in carrying out its study and producing its report. The records reflect the Task Force's charge to study the financing of higher education.

The series includes: 1) "staff papers" written for the Task Force reporting on such issues as: New York State economy and finance and their relation to higher education finance; New York City and other local government finances; access and enrollments; student aid; finances of public and private institutions of higher education; federal policies and funding; more effective use of resources; and institutional cooperation and regionalism; 2) statements made before or submitted to the Task Force by educators, education officials, and other government officials from New York and other states; 3) discussion materials for Task Force meetings, including lists of questions and issues for consideration; 4) meeting minutes and notes; and 5) draft and final reports.

Container list is available at the repository.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.