* § 355-d. Educational opportunity centers. 1. There shall be created within the state university of New York a comprehensive system of tuition free higher education institutions providing programs and services that promote the growth and stability of the state's educationally and economically challenged communities as referred to in this section as educational opportunity centers.

1. 2. Such educational opportunity centers shall be managed and supervised by the state university and shall provide programs and services that include, but are not limited to:

   1. (a) academic programs leading to and increasing persistence in higher education;
   2. (b) vocational programs leading to career pathways, gainful employment and self-sufficiency;
   3. (c) counseling and guidance services to enhance student retention;
   4. (d) targeted services for business and industry to upgrade the skill levels of emerging and incumbent workers such that they support increased productivity and the creation and retention of job opportunities;
   5. (e) collaboration with secondary schools to assist in the academic preparation of at-risk youth;
   6. (f) collaborative programs with colleges and universities to increase opportunities for center graduates for advanced placement and receipt of academic credits for academic work completed at such center;
   7. (g) collaboration with other state and local agencies, workforce development boards and charitable organizations to meet emerging state-wide priorities for serving the disadvantaged; and
   8. (h) entrepreneurial training opportunities that may lead to community economic development.

2. 3. The state university shall formulate a plan and guidelines for the organization, development, coordination and operation of educational opportunity centers and may promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Such plan shall include:

   1. (a) definition of academic and economic eligibility provided, however, that state residency be a minimum eligibility requirement;
   2. (b) procedures for the selection of such students for admission to a center;
   3. (c) program objectives including coordination with the university's long range mission and goals; and
   4. (d) program evaluation and reporting.
3. 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the employees of the educational opportunity centers operated in cooperation with the city university of New York and/or a college within the city university of New York shall be employees of the city university of New York and shall retain their respective bargaining unit representation. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to waive or impair any rights or benefits of employees of the city university of New York that otherwise would be available to them pursuant to the terms of agreements between the certified representatives of such employees and the city university of New York pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law. * NB Effective May 31, 2021