M E M O R A N D U M

								December 17, 2012

TO:		Members of the Board of Trustees

FROM:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

SUBJECT: 	Extension of Tuition Benefit for Students Affected by 
		Earthquake in Haiti

Action Requested

	The proposed resolution extends for the Spring 2013 semester through the Spring 2014 semester resident tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate Haitian nationals who are attending State-operated campuses on non-immigrant visas.

Resolution

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas this Board has already demonstrated its wish to assist and provide coordinated humanitarian efforts for the victims of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti; and 

Whereas a number of SUNY campuses have enrolled as students Haitian nationals who have been displaced as a result of the consequences of the devastating natural disaster in that country and will be seeking to enroll additional students from this country; and

Whereas the U.S. government has extended eligibility for Temporary Protected Status to holders of non-immigrant visas from Haiti in recognition of the impacts of the earthquake on their ability to return to that country and to maintain their residency abroad; and

Whereas by Res. 2010-021, adopted March 23, 2010, this Board resolved to extend the benefit of resident tuition for the Spring 2010 semester through the Spring 2011 semester to affected students who are Haitian nationals as a humanitarian response which acknowledges these students’ inability to return to their home; and 


Whereas by Res. 2011-097, adopted September 20, 2011, this Board resolved to extend the benefit of resident tuition for the Fall 2011 semester through the Fall 2012 semester to such affected students; and 

Whereas it is estimated that this benefit could affect between 16 and 28 students; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved that the Chancellor, or designee, be, and hereby is, authorized to amend the State University of New York Guidelines on Residency for Tuition Purposes to make graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the State-operated institutions of the State University of New York, who are attending these institutions on non-immigrant visas and are Haitian nationals, eligible for resident tuition for the Spring 2013 semester through the Spring 2014 semester; and, be it further

Resolved that the Boards of Trustees of the community colleges operating under the program of the State University of New York be, and hereby are, encouraged to act consistent with this policy.

Background

	The occurrence of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 left millions displaced and homeless.  Since that time, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti has been further compounded by outbreaks of disease and continued widespread displacement of its citizens.  In recognition of the situation, the U.S. government has extended the ability of Haitian nationals who are in the United States to study, work, visit or otherwise remain in the country and to receive the benefits of Temporary Protected Status, most recently through July 22, 2014.  This resolution authorizes the Chancellor to amend the guidelines for this purpose for the Spring 2013 semester through the Spring 2014 semester and encourages the Boards of the community colleges to do likewise. 
	
      The financial impact of this resolution will be borne by the three state-operated campuses enrolling eligible Haitian students, who would otherwise require scholarship support at those campuses. Estimated annual impact will vary by campus ranging from $9,692 for SUNY Plattsburgh with a single affected student to $20,644 at Binghamton University with two affected students and $131,340 at Stony Brook University, where there are eleven eligible students.
Board Resolution				-2-			December 17, 2012