Date: 03/25/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB10-079

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-079 to the CommitteePASS



01:32 PM -- Senate Bill 10-079

Representative King, co-prime sponsor of Senate Bill 10-079, concerning graduate-level program authority for Mesa State College, presented the bill to the committee. The bill permits the school to offer general education courses at the graduate level. Representative Bradford, also co-prime sponsor of the bill, noted the need for educational opportunities on the Western slope.


01:33 PM

Representative Solano asked what programs would be offered. Representative King explained that the witness would discuss the program offerings.


01:34 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

01:34 PM -- Tim Foster, President, Mesa State College, testified in support of the bill and responded to Representative Solano's question about program offerings, noting the need for training for qualified health care professionals, for teacher preparation programs, and for training for criminal justice professionals. He discussed the work of the college to establish a body farm for the study of forensics.


01:37 PM

Representative Massey asked President Foster about program duplication and whether this will affect the school's future ability to offer programs. President Foster responded, noting the evolving role of private higher education institutions such as University of Phoenix and the effect it has on public higher education institutions. He also noted the school's process for selecting programs and explained that the school offers only programs that address an educational need in the community.

01:44 PM -- Doug Price, Member of the Board of Trustees, Mesa State College, testified in support of the bill and noted the seriousness with which the board takes its fiduciary responsibilities. He explained the board's role in approving program offerings at the college.


01:46 PM

Representative Middleton shared her role on the higher education advisory committee, and asked Mr. Price to comment on the process of program offering in light of the strategic planning process. Mr. Price responded that the board seeks to integrate the strategic planning process by considering the geographic needs. Discussion on the issue of role and mission ensued between Representative Middleton and Mr. Price.
BILL:SB10-079
TIME: 01:51:03 PM
MOVED:McNulty
MOTION:Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-079 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 12-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:Tipton
VOTE
Benefield
Yes
Massey
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Middleton
Yes
Murray
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Scanlan
Excused
Schafer S.
Yes
Summers
Yes
Tipton
Yes
Todd
Yes
Solano
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS