An Act Regarding Rockport College

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,  Rockport College, which does business as Maine Media College, offers professional certification and graduate education in the fields of photography, filmmaking and video and multimedia and intends to offer a Master of Fine Arts degree and needs to receive approval of degree-granting authority; and

Whereas,  it is necessary for the Legislature to grant this authority in order that the school may begin offering degrees for students currently enrolled in programs; 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 school known as Rockport College is renamed Maine Media College and is authorized until June 30, 2010 to confer upon all who successfully complete its prescribed course of study the degree of Master of Fine Arts 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.