An Act To Provide Degree-granting Authority to the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  authorization by the Legislature is required for any institution of higher education to confer academic, educational, literary or professional degrees, upon the recommendation of the State Board of Education; and

Whereas,  the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design has applied to the State Board of Education and received a recommendation for approval of degree-granting authority; and

Whereas,  it is necessary for the Legislature to grant this authority in order that the Landing School may begin offering degree programs for students beginning in the fall of 2008; and

Whereas,  the Landing School cannot apply for national accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, a private independent accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, until authorized by the Legislature; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Degree. The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design, of Arundel, is authorized to confer upon all who successfully complete its prescribed course of study the degree of Associate Degree in Applied Science as is usually conferred by like institutions of higher learning.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.