Coordinating Board for Higher Education Meeting Minutes 02-07
COORDINATING BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
February 8, 2007
The Coordinating Board for Higher Education met at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City:
Members present were:
Kathryn Swan, Chair
Martha Boswell
David Cole
Lowell C. Kruse
Jeanne Patterson
Duane E. Schreimann
Chair Kathryn Swan called the Coordinating Board for Higher Education meeting to order. A list of guests is included as Attachment A.
The presence of a quorum was established with the following roll call vote:
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Present
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Absent
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| Martha Boswell |
X
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| David Cole |
X
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| Lowell C. Kruse |
X
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| Jeanne Patterson |
X
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| Duane Schreimann |
X
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| Kathryn Swan |
X
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| Gregory Upchurch |
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X
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Dr. Carolyn Mahoney welcomed the CBHE, MDHE staff, and visitors to Lincoln University. Dr. Mahoney provided a brief history of Lincoln University, the institution’s mission and vision for the future, and also shared several of the accomplishments of Lincoln’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Chair Swan thanked President Mahoney, her staff, and the Lincoln Board of Curators for their hospitality to the presidents and chancellors, members of the Coordinating Board, and MDHE staff. Chair Swan also acknowledged Dr. Robert Stein as the new Commissioner of Higher Education.
Committee Reports
Audit Committee
Mr. Duane Schreimann, chair of the Audit Committee, introduced Dr. Jim Matchefts, Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel, who provided the audit committee report. At the December 14, 2006, meeting, the audit committee briefed the board on three audits; two from the State Auditor’s Office and one from an independent auditing firm. As there was not a quorum of the board at that meeting, the report could not be formally accepted. There was no new business for the audit committee to report.
Mr. Duane Schreimann moved that the report of the audit committee from December 14, 2006, be accepted. Ms. Jeanne Patterson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Student Loan/Financial Aid Committee
Ms. Martha Boswell stated that the committee had no new business to report.
Strategic Planning Committee
Ms. Patterson advised the board that the strategic plan has been delayed due to the work being done at the department level in support of the Governor’s agenda including the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. The strategic planning committee will submit a more detailed report and draft plan at a future meeting.
Presidential Advisory Committee
Budget Update
Dr. James Scanlon introduced Ms. Donna Imhoff, Assistant Commissioner, who provided an update on the Governor’s FY2008 budget recommendations as they relate to higher education. There is one correction to the first page of the attachment. Under the Governor’s FY2008 recommendation for Coordination Administration, the amount should be $713,340 rather than $712,386.
The CBHE budget recommendations included a request for 5 additional FTE; however, the Governor’s budget currently recommends a reduction of .25 FTE. Dr. Stein stated that the CBHE and MDHE should continue to build support for the department’s needs as additional funding and FTE can be added during the legislative process.
Concerning institutional operating budgets, the Governor’s recommendations included average budget increases over FY2007 levels of 4.5% for public universities, 4.2% for community colleges, and 6.3% for Linn State Technical College. Dr. Stein advised that the majority of increases for the public institutions were based upon agreements made by institutions.
Included in the 4.5% increase for public four year institutions is an additional $1.0 million in new core requests for a joint engineering program between the University of Missouri – Rolla and Missouri State University, and an additional $500,000 for Missouri State University – West Plains. Concerning community college funding, the equity distribution formula was used after establishing the 4.2% increase for the sector as a whole. There was discussion that the equity formula penalizes some colleges and that those colleges should be considered for additional funds in order to reach the 4.2% average recommendation.
Dr. John McGuire stated that institutions worked with the CBHE and MDHE staff and submitted a budget recommendation in October with equal increases for the two- and four-year sectors. The Governor’s recommendations are not in accord with that proposal, and the institutions have not been advised of the basis for the discrepancy. There is concern that the discrepancy is due to the two-year equity formula. Dr. McGuire reminded the board that the formula was not meant to be a permanent solution when originally adopted in the late 1990s and was never intended to supplant or end additional funding.
Dr. Stein responded that the CBHE and the MDHE continue to work with key legislators, and this issue has been given attention. The board is on record to work on redesigning the funding formula for higher education, and the sector organizations, as well as Linn State Technical College, are also discussing this issue. There is commitment that periodic equity adjustment should be built into any funding formula.
Mr. Lowell Kruse asked what would be the most productive way to impact this budget consideration. Dr. Stein said that the most effective method for this legislative session would be conversations with legislators rather than formal motions. For future fiscal year requests, conscientious involvement of board members between October and the Governor’s State of the State Address would yield the greatest benefits. Ms. Patterson acknowledged the need to become a stronger advocate for community colleges and urged the sectors to continue discussions with legislators.
The board directed the MDHE to compile a summary of the history of the community college equity plan in order for members to determine the most appropriate way to approach legislators regarding this issue.
Summary of Proposed Legislation Related to Higher Education
The Commissioner provided an update on some of the pending legislation related to higher education, P-20, and other bills that may be relevant to institutions and the MDHE/CBHE. Commissioner Stein acknowledged MDHE staff for their work in tracking legislation as well as responding to numerous fiscal note requests from the Joint Committee on Legislative Research.
MDHE staff prepared a matrix showing the location of major components of the newest version of SB389:
Joint Committee on Education
The establishment of a Joint Committee on Education is seen as positive by the MDHE as the Joint Committee will view education as a P-20 system rather than focusing primarily on elementary or secondary education. This section requires the Joint Committee to meet twice per year and specifies responsibilities including monitoring higher education, establishing performance measures, analyzing the costs of education, and exploring the feasibility of including students enrolled in proprietary schools in state-based financial aid programs.
Competencies for Core Courses
This component charges the Coordinating Board with developing agreed-upon competencies for entry level courses in core disciplines in order to more effectively facilitate transfer among public institutions. Commissioner Stein advised that while this component would be very labor-intensive, it would have spillover in messages to secondary-level students regarding preparation for and access to collegiate-level coursework. Mr. Jeremy Kintzel advised that there is interest in a more formal definition of competencies for entry into collegiate-level work and that this component would be complimentary to those efforts. The K-12 sector has stated that often there is not a clear understanding of what is required to prepare for and successfully complete collegiate-level work at postsecondary institutions.
Dr. Stephen Lehmkuhle acknowledged that while the statewide transfer system is not perfect, it is nevertheless successful. Institutions do not have evidence that the transfer system is broken, and each sector and the Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) work to address problems as they arise.
Dr. Barbara Dixon stated that this section of the bill seems to be a solution without a clearly identified problem and reported that a similar mandate at the State University of New York did not produce any distinct measures of improvement in student learning and success after three years of implementation.
Commissioner’s Fining Authority
Commissioner Stein advised the board that the newest version of the proposed legislation does include the phrase “public or private” institutions. Mr. Schreimann asked why public institutions were limited to a fine of up to one percent of their current fiscal year state appropriations while the language did not set limits on fines or restrictions of financial aid for independent institutions that “willfully disregard” board policy. There was a comment that the CBHE and the legislature have an obligation to ensure that accountability measures apply to all institutions.
Commissioner Stein responded that the MDHE has begun conversations about independent institutions sharing the same kind of data as required by public institutions. It is unlikely that as a sector the independent institutions would choose to become members of the Enhanced Missouri Student Achievement Study (EMSAS), but some independent institutions may choose to share data. There is also consideration to include certified proprietary institutions receiving state financial aid in the EMSAS.
Dr. Lehmkuhle stated that institutions are generally supportive of strengthening the Coordinating Board, but there is concern that the legislation would change the reason why institutions work together and cooperate with the CBHE and MDHE. Mr. Schreimann stated that members understand that they should not interfere with the way governing boards operate their colleges and universities and asked that institutions continue to work together in the development of statewide policies.
Out-of-State Public Institutions
There are currently three out-of-state public institutions operating through the proprietary certification process in Missouri at four locations, and one has a full degree program at this time. These institutions perceive a market niche, and this statute would make their entrance into Missouri postsecondary education more public. However, it is unclear if this legislation would adequately address the concerns of those who prepared the bill.
A question was raised if the legislation would require out-of-state public institutions to participate in Missouri’s credit transfer and other policies. Commissioner Stein replied that the way the statute is worded would require out-of-state institutions to abide by the policies of the state in terms of collaboration, information, and data. The MDHE assumes this would include transfer and articulation to ensure that all students to have smooth pathways between and among institutions. Dr. Lehmkuhle reminded the board that Missouri institutions also provide courses and programs to students in other states.
Limits on Need-Based Student Financial Aid
This section provides for limits to need-based aid so that students’ financial assistance does not exceed the cost of attendance. This section does not include merit-based aid in the calculations, but the board should note that some merit-based aid does address need as well.
Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative
Six of the projects scheduled to be funded under this section have been removed at this time. There is a possibility that some projects may end up back in the bill. The CBHE and the institutions are on record in support of the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.
Tuition Stabilization
The MDHE has communicated the message that state support of institutions has a direct relationship to institutional flexibility in setting tuition. Commissioner Stein stated that there has been extensive work on behalf of the MDHE and institutions to recommend language that would tie tuition to the amount of state support provided. Dr. Dixon stated that it is critical that there be some accountability on the part of the state to do their share.
Commissioner Stein advised that the MDHE is designing Quick Facts Supplements of important issues for distribution to legislators. The first supplement will focus on Missouri’s ranking nationally regarding state support, tuition, and how these impact affordability. It was suggested that while Missouri ranks in the lowest quartile for state support it ranks in the middle for tuition, which could be an indicator of efficiency.
The Coordinating Board should take the initiative and put together a master plan for higher education in Missouri while institutions design a comprehensive marketing plan.
Consumer Information Relating to Institution Course Offerings
Commissioner Stein reported that this section requires that public institutions provide information to the public about faculty assignments and credentials. The legislature understands that the process should not be onerous and that at times instructors are not assigned to courses until the last minute. It is suggested that a master list of known instructors be made available on the institution’s website and links updated when course assignments are made. There is a desire by legislators that the amount of the course taught by teaching assistants be included in the course schedule and that teaching evaluations be made public. One complexity of this task is the lack of a universal instrument for evaluation of instruction, which makes comparisons between institutions difficult. Language in the bill suggests that internal institutional policies would determine when and if teaching evaluations are made public.
Performance Measures
This section proposes five performance measures for higher education institutions - three that would be statewide and two that would be institution-specific. The measures will be developed between institutions, the MDHE, and the CBHE. Institutions have been supportive, and this section is not seen as controversial.
Student Financial Aid
Commissioner Stein reported that this section does have general support among institutions though some questions have emerged about the relationship between public and independent sectors and the impact of this change. Mr. Leroy Wade responded to questions regarding the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program.
There was discussion concerning the criminal offense exclusion of the bill. A comment was made that there are no significant dollars to be saved through such exclusion and that if access to financial aid to persons with a criminal record could serve as a welcomed incentive to positively influence this particular group of prospective students.
Action Items
Commissioner Stein reminded the Board that Dr. McGuire is President-Elect for the Presidential Advisory Council. After discussion with each sector, it was agreed that Dr. McGuire would take the position at the June meeting in order to provide continuity throughout the fiscal year.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Schreimann moved that the minutes of the December 14, 2006 CBHE meeting, the minutes of the December 14, 2006 closed CBHE meeting, and the minutes of the December 27, 2006 CBHE meeting be approved as printed. Mr. David Cole seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
2007 Missouri Conference on Transfer and Articulation
Mr. Jeremy Kintzel reported on the statewide transfer conference held on January 24, 2007. This conference was intended as a reinstatement of a statewide forum for work on transfer and articulation issues. A data sourcebook on transfer was provided to attendees as a foundation for discussion, and a discussion of the outcomes of the conference among presidents, chancellors, and board members was continued at the February 7, 2007 work session.
The conference attempted to broaden the conversation from traditional postsecondary-to-postsecondary transfer to include transition issues such as student preparation and advanced credit, e.g. dual credit and Advanced Placement. MDHE staff is reviewing comments from conference attendees and is updating available data with the cooperation of COTA and institutional researchers. It is expected that data discussed at the conference will continue to guide strategic planning and initiatives for practitioners and policymakers.
MDHE staff expressed appreciation for the leadership and support of COTA and the Conference Coordinating Committee. This event provided a solid foundation for future discussion and action on transfer and articulation issues.
Dr. Lehmkuhle emphasized that the conference planning staff had estimated participation at 100 but actual participation numbered more than 160. There is a great deal of interest in this topic and the conference illustrated that Missouri institutions work well together when the focus is on student success in the system.
Mr. Kruse moved that the “Coordinating Board for Higher Education commend the efforts of the Committee on Transfer and Articulation, the Transfer and Articulation Conference Coordinating Committee, and MDHE staff for their efforts in organizing and facilitating the Transfer Conference. Their considerable efforts contributed to a much-needed and well-received revival of dialogue among transfer practitioners to continue to improve transfer practices in Missouri.”
During discussion of the recommended action, Chair Swan stated that this work was in addition to the normal duties of the MDHE staff and thanked staff for their efforts in a very successful venture. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Development of Board Policy Regarding Recommendations for Community College Capital Improvement Funding Requests
Commissioner Stein acknowledged that there is a policy void regarding community college capital, and there have been misperceptions that the state does not provide support. Over the years, support for facilities has emerged through the budget process, primarily through maintenance and repair funds, but there have also been funds for new capital projects.
There was a commitment made by the CBHE in October 2006 that community colleges would not go through another budget cycle without an agreed-upon policy for capital project funding.
Commissioner Stein read the following recommended action: “It is recommended that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education direct the commissioner of higher education to appoint appropriate members of a seven-member working group to begin to develop a recommendation for a CBHE policy on community college capital requests. The work group is to provide recommendations by the June 14, 2007, CBHE meeting for the board’s consideration.”
During discussion of the recommended action, Dr. John Ganio advised that the state of Illinois remains committed to community college capital funding but has not had the money to put into capital projects. Ms. Patterson moved to accept the staff recommendation. Mr. Schreimann seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar
Items on the consent calendar are recurring issues or are a routine part of the operation of the CBHE and the MDHE. Any or all items may be withdrawn from the consent calendar by any member of the board if further discussion is necessary. Chair Swan asked if there were any questions or comments with regard to the items contained on the consent calendar.
Ms. Patterson moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
State Student Financial Aid Program Update
Mr. Wade stated that he is very optimistic that the proposed single need-based financial aid program would be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.
Report of the Commissioner
Commissioner Stein introduced Ms. Sherry Reeves. Ms. Reeves previously worked with the Missouri Lottery and the House of Representatives before joining the MDHE in 2004. In 2006, Ms. Reeves noted that the MDHE was being billed for telecommunication lines not in use. With the assistance of Mr. Greg Sandbothe and Mr. Jason Volkart, Ms. Reeves recommended deleting service on several unused lines within the agency, thus saving approximately 15% of the MDHE telecommunications budget each year. Ms. Reeves has been named the State Employee of the Month, which has not previously been awarded to an MDHE employee. Ms. Reeves will be honored at a ceremony in the Governor’s office.
Commissioner Stein introduced Ms. Wendy Baker as the new information officer for the MDHE; Ms. Baker will be attending board meetings regularly and will send out press releases for the CBHE.
Commissioner Stein reported that MDHE staff is working with legislators to provide value added services such as writing technical notes on problem areas in bills. The MDHE would like the legislature to use the MDHE as a sounding board for potential legislation.
Commissioner Stein advised that the first P-20 Council report will be sent to the Governor’s office this afternoon. The content of the report explored curriculum alignment and assessment, reduction of remediation, employer feedback about graduate performance, access to collegiate-level work, identification of future needs of the workforce, and the improvement of school-college partnerships to improve teacher quality and student success. There is discussion about expanding the P-20 Council, whose priority this year is on skill sets and occupations needed in the next 15 – 20 years in order for Missouri to be globally competitive, curricular alignment, and career choices for young students.
Commissioner Stein commended the board for going on record on important issues including: strengthening the CBHE, increasing support for higher education, committing to a sustained P-20 structure, reinforcing its interest in developing a more advanced higher education accountability system, promoting collaboration, supporting capital on Missouri campuses, and fostering attention on tuition stabilization while acknowledging that tuition decisions rest with institutional governing boards,
Chair Swan thanked Lincoln for their hospitality and the MDHE staff and stated that their efforts do not go unrecognized.
Mr. Schreimann moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm.
Attachment A
Roster of Guests
Coordinating Board for Higher Education
February 8, 2007
Name - Affiliation
Jim Baker - Missouri State University
Constance Bowman - Harris-Stowe State University
Barbara Dixon - Truman State University
Donald Claycomb - Linn State Technical College
Ken Dobbins - Southeast Missouri State University
Don Doucette - Metropolitan Community College
Marsha Drennon - State Fair Community College
Hillary Fuhrman - Department of Higher Education
John Ganio - St. Louis Community College
Jennifer Glass - Department of Higher Education
Mike Grelle - University of Central Missouri
Dean Hubbard - Northwest Missouri State University
Donna Imhoff - Department of Higher Education
Jeremy Kintzel - Department of Higher Education
Steven Kurtz - Mineral Area College
Steve Lehmkuhle - University of Missouri System
Julio Leon - Missouri Southern State University
Carolyn Mahoney - Lincoln University
Alan Marble - Crowder College
Jim Matchefts - Department of Higher Education
Brenda Miner - Department of Higher Education
Brian Nedwek - Maryville University of St. Louis
John McGuire - St. Charles Community College
Chuck Poplstein - Department of Higher Education
Greg Sandbothe - Department of Higher Education
James Scanlon - Missouri Western State University
Robert Stein - Department of Higher Education
Leroy Wade - Department of Higher Education
B.J. White - Department of Higher Education
Paula Wolken - Department of Higher Education
