M E M O R A N D U M

							September 20, 2011

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 Fall 2011 semester through the Fall 2012 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 to affected students who are Haitian nationals as a humanitarian response which acknowledges these students’ inability to return to their home; and 


Whereas it is estimated that this benefit could affect between 40 and 60 students currently and more in the future; 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 Fall 2011 semester through the Fall 2012 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.  SUNY campuses have in attendance a number of Haitian nationals as students.  Given the inability of these students to return to their country and maintain their domicile in Haiti, this Board previously determined to provide these students with temporary resident status for purposes of the SUNY Tuition Policy.  By Res. 2010-021, adopted March 23, 2010, the Board authorized the Chancellor to amend the University’s guidelines governing residency for tuition purposes to classify the affected group of students as residents who will be charged in-state tuition for the Spring 2010 semester through Spring 2011 semester.  This resolution authorizes the Chancellor to amend the guidelines for this purpose for the Fall 2011 semester through the Fall 2012 semester and encourages the Boards of the community colleges to do likewise. 

	The financial impact of this resolution will be borne by the nine campuses (four state-operated and five community colleges) enrolling eligible Haitian students, who would otherwise require scholarship support at those campuses.  Estimated annual impact will vary by campus ranging from $9,050 for a State-operated campus with one affected student to $9,974 at the University at Buffalo and $50,880 at Stony Brook University.



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Board Resolution		September 20, 2010