Date: 04/08/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-165

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment C). The motion p
Postpone Senate Bill 13-165 indefinitely. The moti
Refer Senate Bill 13-165, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS
FAIL



02:01 PM -- Senate Bill 13-165

Representative Wilson, prime sponsor, came to the table to present Senate Bill 13-165 which concerns authorizing the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) to offer a limited number of baccalaureate degrees. The reengrossed bill allows the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) to establish up to seven baccalaureate degree programs to be offered at community colleges. The programs may be for technical or career and work force development bachelor degrees. The SBCCOE cannot approve bachelor of arts degree programs, but may approve a bachelor of fine arts degree. Degree programs must be submitted to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) for final approval. In determining whether to approve a new program, the CCHE must consider whether the:

• SBCCOE provides data demonstrating demand for the program;
• regional and professional accreditation requirements for the degree program can be met;
• provision of the degree program within the community college system is cost effective; and
• degree program is sufficiently distinguishable from degree programs at four-year institutions of higher education in the same geographic service area as the community college offering the proposed degree.

Representative Wilson stated that the bill is about meeting constituent needs and about providing access to educational programs for those people who cannot leave work or home to pursue further education.

The following persons testified:

02:07 PM -- Pam Shockley, Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Shockley stated that she supports the intent of the bill, which is to increase access to higher education, but stated that she is concerned with implementing the bill in the under-resourced environment of Colorado's higher education system. She discussed the two-plus-two program at UCCS and stated that the program is an example of a collaborative model. She stated that before an idea like the one proposed in the bill can be implemented correctly, two- and four-year institutions of higher education must identify any unmet student and employer needs and then discuss the most efficient ways for the institutions to meet those needs.

02:10 PM -- Don Elliman, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver (UCD), testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Elliman stated that the idea proposed by the bill can be accomplished within the higher education system that is already established, and echoed Ms. Shockley's testimony. He stated that the issue at hand is figuring out what kinds of collaborations can be put into place within existing resources.

Ms. Shockley responded to questions from the committee about the two-plus-two program at UCCS.

02:17 PM -- Bill Mansheim, representing Adams State University, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mansheim stated that Adams State University has been serving rural communities for over 100 years and that the school offers associate, bachelor, and graduate degrees. He stated that in the past, the school has received federal grant support to help place-bound students, and discussed the Rural Education Access Program (REAP). He stated that reaching rural, place-bound students requires collaboration, partnerships, funding, and vision. He stated that part of the bill's problem is that it ignores the need for critical mass, and stated that schools needs a large net to garner the critical mass to make a program worthwhile. He stated that the bill is silent regarding online education and that Adams State University has converted several courses to online platforms to increase efficiency. Mr. Mansheim responded to questions from the committee.

02:30 PM -- Dr. Mike Martin, Chancellor of the Colorado State University System, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Martin discussed his professional background and his work in other states. He stated that the timing for the bill is wrong, and that more effort should be spent figuring out the best circumstances for such an idea to be implemented. He stated that the percentage of students who earn four-year degrees by being involved in programs like the one suggested by the bill is about two percent. He discussed critical mass and stated that sustaining critical mass over time is important to the success of such programs. Dr. Martin responded to questions from the committee.

02:41 PM -- Dr. Nancy McCallin, President of CCCS, testified in support of the bill. Dr. McCallin stated that the bill is about providing access to high quality four-year degree programs and about providing opportunities for students in Colorado. She stated that the degrees offered under the provisions of the bill will be career and technical-oriented degrees. She stated that 2,700 career and technical degrees are granted each year, but these degrees are not transferable to four-year degree programs and if students desire to pursue a four-year degree they will have to begin taking classes all over again. She stated that CCCS has about 400 students who desire to pursue four-year degrees, but are unable to at this time.

02:45 PM -- Dr. Andy Dorsy, representing Front Range Community College (FRCC), testified in support of the bill. He stated that if students have any desire to transfer to a four-year school in the future, they are discouraged from pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) because the credits are not transferable. He stated that it takes a lot of effort to create joint programs between two- and four-year schools and to join the faculty from the institutions. He stated that it is more efficient for the state to provide the opportunity for students to complete a bachelor degree at a single school, and commented on the commitment to not duplicate degree programs.

Dr. McCallin and Dr. Dorsy responded to questions from the committee.

03:05 PM -- Ryan Manzanares, representing CCCS student government, testified in support of the bill. Ryan stated that the students of CCCS would like to see the bill pass, and that the bill will provide access to degrees for students in rural and urban settings.

03:06 PM -- Yarrow Spitzfaden, representing the students at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Spitzfaden discussed her involvement in the water management program at RRCC and stated that she would like continue her education in order to work in water management at the international level. She stated that if she enrolled in a four-year institution, she would only be able to transfer about 20 out of her 64 earned credits. She stated that there is a large need for the bill among the students at RRCC.

03:09 PM -- Mary Leer, representing herself as a student at Pueblo Community College (PCC), testified in support of the bill. She discussed culinary students who want to pursue a four-year degree but are not able to transfer to high profile programs. She stated that offering a four-year degree at PCC would attract students from all over the region, and that PCC has the facility and faculty to allow for expansion of the current program.

03:22 PM -- Lori Keilt, representing the Colorado Dental Hygienist Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Keilt stated that the bill aligns with the association's vision of advancing the dental hygienist profession, and that it makes sense to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor degree in dental hygiene. She stated that dental hygienists are required to have a four-year degree in some organizations. She stated that the University of Colorado once offered a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene, but that program is no longer available.

03:26 PM -- Loretta Martinez, representing Metropolitan State University of Denver (Metro), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Martinez stated that she is testifying on behalf of Dr. Jordan, president of Metro, and stated that if Colorado passes the bill, it will be the twenty-second state in the nation to do so. She stated that Metro supports community colleges offering bachelor degrees where there are no nearby colleges or where four-year institutions cannot meet the discipline demand. She stated that Metro is not concerned about the syphoning off of students, and that the bill expands opportunities for students who are place-bound.

03:29 PM -- Jason Maxey, representing the Metro North Chamber, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Maxey stated that new programs which offer low-cost training will help Colorado be competitive. He stated that CCCS has identified several programs that merit bachelor degrees and that employers' needs for technical skills continue to evolve and change. He stated that community colleges are responsive to business needs and that the bill will help community colleges and businesses to continue developing partnerships.

03:31 PM -- Frank Gray, representing Castle Rock Economic Development Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gray stated that any time there are more options for students and employers, it is a good thing.

03:32 PM -- Stephanie Harrison, representing the Community College of Denver (CCD), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Harrison stated that the bill is about students and access to education. She stated that 70 percent of students in the dental hygiene program at CCD desire a four-year degree in dental hygiene, and that most are now going out of state to obtain their degree. She stated that several dental hygiene related professions require a four-year degree.
03:35 PM -- Russ Meyer, member of the SBCCOE, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Meyer discussed his professional background and his experience establishing articulation agreements. He stated that the bill's proposal is what is beneficial to students.

03:38 PM -- Bernadette Marquez, member of the SBCCOE, testified in support of the bill. She stated that she believes that students will take advantage of educational opportunities, if they are available, and the bill gives students another avenue to pursue education and reach success.

03:39 PM -- Rich Martinez, member of the SBCCOE, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Martinez discussed his background. He stated that the bill helps students and businesses get what they need.

03:41 PM -- George Walker, representing himself as a University of Colorado graduate, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the bill allows the SBCCOE to seek approval from the CCHE for degree programs being offered. He discussed the merits of community colleges.

03:45 PM -- Morgan Bennett, representing herself, testified on the bill. She stated that she has not taken a stance on the bill, but came to share her experience as a participant in a two-plus-two program.

03:47 PM -- Geoffrey Chadwick, representing Colorado Film School, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chadwick stated that two-plus-two programs, in his experience, have not been particularly practical and that it is difficult for students to move from campus to campus.

03:49 PM -- Daniel Bunt, representing himself as a student at FRCC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bunt said that the bill addresses student needs and that specialization is important.

A handout was provided to the members of the committee (Attachment B). Amendment L.008 was distributed to the committee (Attachment C).

13HseEd0408AttachB.pdf13HseEd0408AttachB.pdf 13HseEd0408AttachC.pdf13HseEd0408AttachC.pdf
BILL:SB13-165
TIME: 03:52:13 PM
MOVED:Pettersen
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Murray
VOTE
Buckner
Court
Everett
Fields
Holbert
Landgraf
Murray
Pettersen
Priola
Wilson
Young
Peniston
Hamner
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


03:54 PM

Brita Darling, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to technical questions about the bill's language.

Representative Wilson provided closing comments to the bill. Committee discussion ensued. Representative Court stated that Colorado does not have money for the bill and that the state needs a system of higher education. Representative Peniston stated that she is voting in a way to meet the needs of her constituency. Representative Buckner stated that the goal needs to be to meet the needs of the students, but that a system needs to be in place and that institutions need to work together more frequently to meet student needs. Representative Young stated that the bill will create a feeding frenzy and that this is not productive for students and that more collaboration in the system needs to exist. Representative Holbert stated that the bill presents a great topic for the Educational Success Task Force to study. Representative Fields stated that the bill is about students and access to learning. Representative Murray explained why she would vote yes on the bill.
BILL:SB13-165
TIME: 04:15:32 PM
MOVED:Wilson
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-165, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 6-7.
SECONDED:Landgraf
VOTE
Buckner
No
Court
No
Everett
No
Fields
Yes
Holbert
No
Landgraf
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Priola
No
Wilson
Yes
Young
No
Peniston
Yes
Hamner
No
YES: 6 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:SB13-165
TIME: 04:17:13 PM
MOVED:Young
MOTION:Postpone Senate Bill 13-165 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Holbert
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Everett
No
Fields
Yes
Holbert
No
Landgraf
No
Murray
No
Pettersen
Yes
Priola
Yes
Wilson
No
Young
Yes
Peniston
No
Hamner
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:17 PM

The committee adjourned.