Section 180. Definitions

Wherever used in this part V of this article:
    1.  The  term "eligible employee" means each employee of the education
  department  who  occupies  a  position  which  is  designated   by   the
  commissioner  as requiring the rendering of professional services within
  the field of supervision of higher education, and who, at  the  time  of
  his  initial  employment  with  the  department or within one year prior
  thereto, owns or  owned  a  contract  which  may  legally  be  continued
  pursuant  to  this  part.  An  eligible  employee  who has elected to be
  covered by the education department optional  retirement  program  shall
  not be deemed ineligible by virtue of a subsequent assignment within the
  education  department to a sphere of responsibility outside of the field
  of supervision of higher education. No  person  receiving  a  retirement
  benefit  from  any retirement or pension system of New York state or any
  political subdivision thereof shall be eligible to elect  the  education
  department optional retirement program.
    2.  The  term "education department optional retirement program" means
  the retirement program established pursuant to part V of this article.
    3. The term  "electing  employee"  means  any  eligible  employee  who
  exercises  his  election  pursuant  to  this  part  V of this article to
  participate in the education department optional retirement program.
    4. The term "state salary" means all amounts paid by or for the  state
  as compensation for services rendered by an eligible employee.
    5.  The  term  "insurer"  means a life insurance corporation, or other
  corporation, subject to insurance department supervision.