Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1080

Date: 03/14/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1080

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 12-1080 to the House Committee of	PASS

10:58 AM -- House Bill 12-1080

Representative Massey, Chair, made opening remarks and called the meeting to order. He invited Representative Vigil to the table to present his bill.

Representative Vigil, sponsor of House Bill 12-1080, presented the bill. The bill changes the name of Adams State College to Adams State University and makes conforming amendments. The bill also modifies the role and mission of the school to permit a limited number of graduate-level programs. Current law restricts the school to two-year transfer programs, undergraduate degrees, and limited number of master's-level programs only.

The following persons testified:

11:00 AM -- Dr. David Svaldi, President, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Svaldi thanked Representative Vigil for his work on the bill. Dr. Svaldi outlined three reasons for the name change: the school is already operating as a university; the change will benefit students; and the change will contribute to the school's sustainability. He stated that the term "university" is increasingly used to identify four-year institutions of higher education, and that in the states surrounding Colorado, the term is used to identify four-year institutions of higher education. He said that the name change will help students by making them more competitive to potential employers. He said that the school currently has over 800 graduate students in master's-degree programs, and about 3,100 graduate students in professional development courses. He stated that the bill is a cost-effective way to increase enrollment at the school, especially the number of graduate students. He stated that international students especially want the "university" designation in the school's name. He stated that the name change will bring in additional revenue and help to keep tuition costs down at the school.

Representative Ramirez asked about the location of the school and if there are other opportunities for higher education in the immediate vicinity. Dr. Svaldi responded, noting that there is a branch of Trinidad State Junior College very close to Adams State College.

Representative Todd asked what percentage of the school's population comes from within 150 miles of Adams State College. Dr. Michael Mumper, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Program Development, Adams State College, responded that approximately three-quarters of the school's undergraduate students are within 150 miles of the school. He added that less than 10 percent of students come from outside of Colorado.

11:11 AM -- Matthew Martinez, former Marine and current student at Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Martinez stated that Adams State College is becoming a more veteran-friendly school. He stated that with the name change there should be an increase in the number of veteran students who attend Adams State College. He stated that the school's campus already resembles a university and includes new dormitories and a recreation hall. He added that the facilities at Adams State College rival those of Division I schools.

11:13 AM -- Jeni Carter, graduate student, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. She stated that employers who are not local do not understand that Adams State College is not a community college. She discussed her master's degree program at the school, noting its rigor and course load. She added that there is a trend of the term "college" being used to indicate a two-year school.

11:16 AM -- Stephen Valdez, alumni and current Chair of the Board of Trustees, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Valdez stated that the Board of Trustees is responsible for the financial health of the school. He stated that the school has record-breaking enrollment, has increased its program offerings, and has been innovative. He stated that the challenge is not just to balance the budget, but to be sustainable. He stated that higher education gives people the key to transforming their lives. He added that the school is already doing the work of a university.

11:19 AM -- Ann Rice, Trustee, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rice agreed with Mr. Valdez's comments and discussed her experience as a board member at other institutions. She stated that the bill provides a critical tool to the school.

11:20 AM -- Tim Walters, Trustee, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Walters described his long family history of being involved with Adams State College. He stated that the name change is the next step in moving forward for the school. He stated that the school serves 50,000 on-line program students and that they are from over fifteen different countries.

11:22 AM

Representative Solano commented on tuition increases and asked the witnesses to address what is being done at Adams State College in the realm of tuition. Mr. Walters responded that Adams State College is below their competition in terms of tuition pricing. He stated that what bothers him most is the pull away from public education to a more privatized system. He stated that this is not good for those students who really cannot afford to get a postsecondary education.

Representative Todd asked what percentage of students at the school are veterans, and if the federal GI Bill is helping to increase the number of students who are veterans. Dr. Michael Mumper returned to the table to respond, saying that the percentage of veterans has increased significantly, but that veterans make up less than 5 percent of the school's total enrollment. He added that the GI Bill provides more opportunities for the school to recruit veterans.

Representative Solano asked if the name change will help with recruitment. Ms. Rice responded that it will. She stated that it will help greatly with distance learning as graduate students in on-line distance learning courses want a school with "university" in its name.

11:26 AM -- Nathan Cherpeski, City Manager, City of Alamosa, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Cherpeski stated that Adams State College and the City of Alamosa have partnered in many ways. He stated that as Adams State College works to increase its competitiveness, the city needs to work to keep the school around. He stated that when he is working on economic development for the city, he frequently has to explain to visitors and business owners that Adams State College is a four-year university. He added that the name change will help to keep the school competitive and the San Luis Valley competitive.

11:28 AM -- Dr. Michael Mumper, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Program Development, Adams State College, testified in support of the bill. He stated that as the school tries to recruit more and better students, they run into the name issue. He stated that the name "college" increasingly refers to two-year schools that offer only undergraduate programs. He stated that the school currently has 840 graduate students across eight graduate programs. He stated that potential students think that only "universities" offer graduate degrees and that changing the school's name clarifies who and what the school is. He discussed the results of a survey that was administered to students, alumni, and the community, concerning the name change. He added that the bill clarifies the school's mission and increases its appeal to under-served populations.


BILL:	HB12-1080
TIME:	11:34:48 AM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1080 to the House Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:	Ramirez
		VOTE
	Hamner	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Joshi	Yes
	Kerr A.	Yes
	Murray	Excused
	Peniston	Yes
	Ramirez	Yes
	Schafer S.	Excused
	Solano	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Beezley	Yes
	Massey	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS