§ 942. Powers and duties of the council. 1. The council on professional career opportunity shall have the following powers and duties:

a. to recommend goals and objectives for the enrollment and graduation of minority and disadvantaged students in public and independent institutions of higher education offering professional education programs;

b. to monitor and evaluate progress in increasing the representation of minority and disadvantaged students in professional education programs;

c. to advise the governor and the legislature on strategies to increase access to professional careers and professional education programs on the part of minority and disadvantaged persons;

d. to recommend revisions to laws, rules, and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this article;

e. to accept and expend any grants, awards, or other funds or appropriations as may be available to the council to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

2. At the request of the council, institutions of higher education offering professional education programs shall furnish to the council such reports and information as it may require to effectuate the purposes of this article.

3. The council shall, by February first, nineteen hundred eighty-six and annually thereafter, submit a written report to the governor and the legislature setting forth the recommendations and activities of the council on matters within the scope of its powers as set forth in the article, describing progress made in achieving goals and objectives.

4. The council shall study and advise the governor and the legislature on the problems of recruitment, enrollment, and retention of minority and disadvantaged students in professional education programs.

5. The council shall appoint such officers, agents, consultants, and special committees it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

6. For the purpose of advising and assisting the council in carrying out its powers and duties in regard to medical education there is hereby established an advisory committee on medical education comprised of eleven members. The members and chairperson of the advisory committee shall be selected by the chairperson of the council and shall include representatives of public and independent institutions of higher education offering an approved program in medicine and physicians authorized or licensed to practice medicine within the state of New York. The membership of the advisory committee shall include minority representation.