Final answer:
The Board of Regents is responsible for important decisions regarding CUNY and SUNY systems, including tuition, class availability, and policy changes. Attending these meetings can allow students to stay informed and affect change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Board of Regents plays a critical role in the administration of the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) systems. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of these public institutions, which includes making decisions about tuition increases, class offerings, and changes to student conduct policies. The Board of Regents also handles the allocation of resources, which can influence the quality and availability of educational programs, such as whether foreign-language instruction is curtailed due to budget cuts.
For students attending CUNY or SUNY schools, staying informed about Board of Regents meetings can be crucial since these meetings can result in decisions that directly impact their education and financial obligations. In states where such meetings are open to the public, attending can be an opportunity for students to engage with the governance of their institution, advocate for their interests, and inform their peers of potential changes. The importance of these decisions is further underscored by the support structures like the SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grant (IITG), which encourages faculty and support staff to develop educational innovations that align with SUNY's vision.