Who We Are

The University of the State of New York (USNY) is the most complete, interconnected system of educational services in the United States. USNY includes:

* More than 7,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools;
* 248 public and private colleges and universities;
* 251 proprietary (for-profit) schools;
* Nearly 7,000 libraries;
* 750 museums;
* The State Archives;
* Vocational rehabilitation and other services for adults with disabilities;
* Special education services for pre-school and school-age children and teenagers;
* A special School for the Blind;
* A special School for the Deaf;
* 25 public broadcasting facilities, including seven public television stations;
* More than half a million professionals practicing in 38 licensed professions, including pharmacy, architecture, accounting, and nursing; and
* 200,000 certified public school teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Who We Are Not

The University of the State of New York (USNY) is not the same as The State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY is the State's system of public colleges and universities. While the SUNY system is part of the 248 colleges and universities included in The University of the State of New York, SUNY is a separate and distinct organization with its own administration.

The Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education

The Board of Regents sets overall education policy for the State of New York and heads The University of the State of New York. While USNY has one main purpose - providing knowledge and skills to all - it carries this policy out in many ways.

The Board of Regents includes 16 members elected by the State Legislature for five-year terms. Twelve of the Regents represent the State's 12 judicial districts, one from each district, and four are at-large. The Regents serve without salary.

The Regents choose a Commissioner of Education who heads The State Education Department and also serves as the President of the University of the State of New York. Generally, the Regents set policy while the Commissioner has responsibility for carrying out policy.

More about the Board of Regents...

Five Main Branches

Currently, USNY and The State Education Department have five main branches, each under the direction of the Commissioner of Education:

* Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education (EMSC)
EMSC oversees pre-K through 12th grade programs, as well as continuing education. The division has diverse responsibilities, including learning and curriculum standards, Regents exams and other State tests, non-public school services, facilities planning, the GED program, and school report cards.

* Higher Education (OHE)
This division oversees colleges, universities and proprietary schools; is responsible for the certification of teachers and other school professionals; and oversees programs to improve teacher preparation and recruitment.

* Office of Cultural Education (OCE)
OCE is home to the State Archives, the State Library, the State Museum, and the Public Broadcasting Office.

* Office of the Professions (OP)
The Education Law contains general provisions affecting all professions and gives the Board of Regents and SED the final authority for supervising and administering 39 licensed professions.

* Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
VESID promotes educational equity for students with disabilities; assures appropriate continuity between the child and adult services systems; and provides vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons to enable them to work and live independent, self-directed lives.

History

* For an overview of USNY/SED see A short history: How we came to be.
* For more detailed background information, see History of the University of the State of New York and the State Education Department, 1784 - 1996 (James D. Folts, 1996).