M E M O R A N D U M

							
							January 19, 2010

To:	           Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Master Plan Amendment for the State University College 
of Technology at Alfred
	
	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Resolved that the State University of New York Master Plan be, and hereby is, amended to authorize the State University College of Technology at Alfred to offer instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and be it further

Resolved that the Chancellor be, and hereby is, authorized to transmit this amendment to the Board of Regents and the Governor for incorporation into the State University Master Plan.

Background
	
	Approval of this resolution will authorize the State University College of Technology at Alfred to offer the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Nursing, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents.  A Master Plan amendment is required as the curriculum represents Alfred State College�s first baccalaureate degree in the Health Professions.  

	The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is wholly consistent with Alfred State College�s mission to provide quality two- and four-year programs and to integrate liberal arts, technology, and life skills into technical and professional programs. This two-year completion program will provide an avenue for regionally employed Registered Nurse graduates of Associate degree programs, including Alfred State�s, to continue on for the Bachelor�s degree. 

	In addition to building on the technical knowledge and critical thinking skills required for the professional practice of nursing and being prepared to seek an advanced degree, graduates of the baccalaureate program will be qualified for supervisory positions and more autonomous roles. The curriculum requires completion of the SUNY General Education Requirement and upper-division courses in the major, including Advanced Pathophysiology, Leadership/Management, Research, Informatics, Population Focused Care in the Community, Contemporary Nursing and a Professional Capstone experience. Nursing electives will be offered in areas such as aging and rural health, history, politics, pharmacology and nutrition. 

	It is anticipated that most students in the program will be employed as Registered Nurses while enrolled. Nursing executives at area hospitals have written in support of the program and have indicated that there are not enough baccalaureate prepared nurses to meet the current need. To help support professionals in the field, courses in the major will be offered in a blended online/on-campus format, with students required to come to campus only once or twice during each semester.

	The program has been positively reviewed by a team of external evaluators, and the curriculum is consistent with the national accreditation standards of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Alfred State College will seek CCNE new applicant status in 2012 and full accreditation by 2015. To help ensure program quality and leadership, a Ph.D. prepared faculty member was hired as program director in 2008, and another faculty member hired in fall 2009. Additional faculty resources will be allocated to support program growth.

	Based on current student enrollment, relevant data and strong interest from employers and the general community, the projected full- and part-time enrollment is approximately 30 students in the first year growing to 60 students by the fifth year. Most students will be residents of the Western Southern Tier, many employed as registered nurses in the region, and a large proportion graduates of Alfred State College�s Associate Degree Nursing program. The program will help meet regional demand. Currently there are no other SUNY institutions within the Western Southern Tier offering a similar (blended format) B.S. completion curriculum. 

	

	 
        
        
        
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Board Resolution	January 19, 2010