Faculty Handbook

SUNY College of Optometry

Faculty Handbook 2022-23

BRIEF HISTORY The State University of New York College of Optometry is dedicated to the education of optometrists, to the advancement of eye and vision care through research and graduate education and to the care of communities through the provision of comprehensive visual health services. The College is the only institution of its kind in New York State and the surrounding region. The College of Optometry was established as an integral unit of the State University of New York through passage of legislation in 1970 and 1971. In 1971, the University entered a contract of affiliation with the Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) the largest non-profit, vision care clinic in the country. As the College expanded, the need for clinical and research facilities increased, and the clinical programs of the Optometric Center of New York (OCNY) became fully integrated with the College by legislative act in 1975. At that time, the OCNY became known as the University Optometric Center. The Optometric Center of New York, also in 1975, changed its charter to become an affiliated foundation dedicated to the support of the College of Optometry. ACCREDITATION The State University of New York College of Optometry is accredited by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York of the New York State Education Department, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

COMPOSITION The State University of New York was established in 1948 by an act of the State Legislature. It comprises 64 individual campuses, which are decentralized in location and administration and diversified in curricula. The public institutions of higher education in New York are the State University of New York and the City University of New York.

GOVERNANCE Board of Trustees

The overall direction of the State University is the responsibility of a 16-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor (and confirmed by the State Senate) who also designates the chairperson and vice-chairperson. A student member of the board serves ex officio. System Administration A System Administration staff, headed by the chancellor of the university, functions under the Board of Trustees, and is located in the University’s system offices in Albany. Each unit of the State University is headed by its own chief administrative officer and functions under the direction and leadership of the System Policy Administration staff. The chancellor also has offices in New York City located at 116 East 55 th Street.

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