S8118

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring colleges and universities to disclose early-decision admissions data to the State Education Department, with penalties for willful non-compliance. Senate Print 8118, sponsored by Sen. Gounardes, passed 49-12 on a roll call vote. The bill addresses concerns that some of New York's most selective institutions systematically omit early-decision information from required federal reports, obscuring admissions practices that disproportionately benefit wealthy students. According to Gounardes, private school students are 3.5 times more likely to gain admission through early decision than public school students, and applicants from the wealthiest zip codes are twice as likely to apply and be admitted through the program. The bill does not ban early-decision admissions but mandates transparency, allowing the State Education Department discretion in assessing penalties for willful violations. Sen. Oberacker, voting against the measure, acknowledged its transparency goals but objected to the penalty mechanism, arguing for positive incentives rather than financial sanctions that could stress institutional compliance and potentially harm student aid. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.