Coordinating Board for Higher Education Meeting Minutes 12-14-06
COORDINATING BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
December 14, 2006
The Coordinating Board for Higher Education met at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at the Missouri Department of Higher Education in Jefferson City:
Members present were:
Kathryn Swan, Chair
Martha Boswell (via conference call for a portion of the meeting)
David Cole
Lowell C. Kruse (for a portion of the meeting)
Jeanne Patterson
Duane E. Schreimann (for a portion of the meeting)
Anthony Thompson (via conference call for a portion of the meeting)
Gregory Upchurch
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:
|
Present |
Absent |
Martha Boswell |
|
X |
David Cole |
X |
|
Lowell C. Kruse |
X |
|
Jeanne Patterson |
X |
|
Duane Schreimann |
X |
|
Kathryn Swan |
X |
|
Anthony Thompson |
|
X |
Gregory Upchurch |
X |
|
Executive Session
Mr. Duane Schreimann moved that the board enter executive session for the following purpose:
Section 610.021 (3), RSMo relating to “hiring firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public government body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded.” Ms. Jeanne Patterson seconded the motion and it passed with the following vote:
Martha Boswell-absent
David Cole-aye
Lowell C. Kruse-aye
Jeanne Patterson-aye
Duane Schreimann-aye
Kathryn Swan-aye
Anthony Thompson-absent
Gregory Upchurch-aye
The CBHE members relocated to the small annex conference room at the Department of Higher Education office for the executive session.
Reconvening of Open Session
Upon return to open session the following board members were present:
Martha Boswell-via conference call
David Cole
Lowell C. Kruse
Jeanne Patterson
Kathryn Swan
Gregory Upchurch
Mr. Greg Upchurch moved that items on the agenda for this meeting requiring action by the board be taken up prior to discussion items. Mr. David Cole seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Lowell Kruse moved that the minutes of the open meetings of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education from October 12 and October 19, 2006, as well as the minutes of the closed CBHE meeting held on November 27, 2006 be approved as printed. Mr. Upchurch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Proposed 2008 CBHE Meeting Dates and Locations
Ms. Brenda Miner, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner, explained the process used by MDHE to identify host sites for CBHE meetings. MDHE staff attempts to ensure the board has an opportunity to visit different institutional sectors and different regions of the state during a given year.
Ms. Miner expressed her appreciation to the institutions that offer to host the Coordinating Board meetings each year. The staff members at the colleges and universities are gracious, kind, patient, and very proud of their institutions and the students they serve. Chair Swan said that it is an honor and pleasure for the CBHE and MDHE staff to be able to experience Missouri’s higher education institutions. Traveling to various institutions offers a valuable opportunity for the CBHE to better understand the unique educational experience that institutions offer their students and to see the good work going on at the state’s colleges and universities.
Mr. Kruse moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education adopt the proposed 2008 meeting dates and locations. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Annual Report of the State Student Financial Aid Committee
Mr. Leroy Wade, MDHE liaison to the State Student Financial Aid Committee, provided the board with an annual update of the work of the State Student Financial Aid Committee as requested by the CBHE during the December 2005 CBHE meeting.
The committee has been working on two major issues since the report to the board during the October 12, 2006 meeting. Based on comments from representatives of higher education institutions and direction from the CBHE, the committee has worked over the last two months to arrive at a compromise on the provision in the program that would adjust students’ award amounts based on the size of their Pell award. The committee reaffirmed its support for the basic concepts and structure that underlie the proposed program and structure at the projected funding levels (approximately $50 million). Should additional funding beyond the $50 million be secured, the committee achieved consensus for a revised award formula. This formula would allocate those additional funds, if appropriated, proportionally to eliminating the Pell Grant adjustment, to expanding the number of students served (by raising the EFC cutoff), and to expanding access and choice by increasing the maximum award eligibility to additional EFC ranges. Based on current projections, the elimination of the Pell adjustment using this approach would require a funding level of approximately $75 million.
The second issue relates to the board’s direction for moving forward with a “fast-track implementation” phase of the proposed program. One of the first steps taken following the October CBHE meeting was to begin to analyze the feasibility of institutional financial aid administrators to adapt to the compressed implementation timeline. Without exception, financial aid administrators expressed support for the idea and assured the department of their commitment to achieve implementation of the program. Secondly, the MDHE staff has been working with the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) staff both within MDHE and at the state level as well as with other partners to identify necessary programming changes that will need to take place within the existing delivery system and how those changes can be accomplished.
Dr. Robert Stein, Acting Deputy Commissioner, reported that Mr. Dan Ross, Director of the Office of Administration-ITSD notified him earlier in the day that ITSD has completed a business case scenario of the project and has determined that implementing the program by September 1, 2007 is feasible using an implementation phase start date of January 1, 2007. Additionally, ITSD has determined that work on this project will need to be outsourced, at an estimated project cost of $300,000. While this is clearly a positive step forward, financial resources, other than department funds, will need to be identified in order to continue the momentum.
Chair Swan expressed appreciation on behalf of the CBHE to members of the State Student Financial Aid Committee for their dedication and commitment to the development of this program.
Mr. Cole moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education accept the annual report from its State Student Financial Assistance Committee and commend the committee members for their continuing work to improve the state’s student financial aid system. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Update on Transfer and Articulation
Dr. Stein acknowledged the work of the CBHE Committee on Transfer and Articulation on the development of the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree. In the past programmatic differences among two- and four-year institutions with teacher education programs have made course transfer difficult for community college students aspiring to become new teachers. In an effort to provide predictable pathways for two-year students, COTA has encouraged the implementation of a single articulation agreement for prospective teachers. The resulting 62-hour AAT degree developed collaboratively across sectors, stands as a role model for other states and is a testament of the commitment among the state’s higher education institutions to ensure an efficient and effective transfer and articulation system.
Mr. Kruse moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education commend the two- and four-year sectors for their extensive work on the AAT program. This collaborative effort showcases the dedication of Missouri’s higher education institutions to the success of the future teachers of our state. Mr. Upchurch seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Dr. Stein highlighted the upcoming 2007 Transfer Conference. Phase I of the conference involves the release of an electronic data sourcebook, with Phase II centered on a one-day working conference for practitioners scheduled for January 24, 2007 in Columbia, Missouri. Phase III involves a half-day joint work session with the board and presidents and chancellors on February 7 prior to the regularly scheduled February 8 CBHE meeting. Phases I and II will be used as the foundation for the discussion on February 7 of new initiatives that will continue to improve Missouri’s transfer and articulation system.
Finally, an Advanced Credit Opportunity (ACO) survey was distributed in November 2006. The survey seeks data regarding the criteria used by each college or university to establish student and faculty eligibility for enrollment in and instruction of advanced credit courses. MDHE staff will also review DESE core data along with survey responses and will provide a more detailed analysis at a future CBHE meeting.
Following the update on transfer and articulation issues, the board no longer had the presence of a quorum. Action on other items was tabled; however, the board continued its discussion on several issues.
Committee Reports
Audit Committee
Dr. Jim Matchefts, Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel, provided the audit committee report in the absence of Mr. Duane Schreimann, chair of the CBHE audit committee. The report focused on three audit reports: (1) a report issued in March 2006 by BKD, LLP, a private accounting firm, on the audit of the financial statements for the MDHE Student Loan Program for state fiscal year 2005; (2) a report issued by the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) in May 2006 on FAMOUS (Financial Aid for Missouri Undergraduate Students) system data confidentiality and security; and (3) a report issued by the SAO in August 2006 on tuition levels follow-up.
BKD financial statements audit of the loan program for SFY05
BKD’s report did not contain any findings or recommendations.
SAO audit of FAMOUS system data confidentiality and security
The SAO’s report contained the following recommendations:
- The MDHE should perform a risk assessment of the FAMOUS system to ensure appropriate security controls are in place to mitigate risks.
- The MDHE should implement or develop security software for FAMOUS that will allow MDHE officials to customize and enhance security configurations.
- The MDHE should discontinue maintaining a centralized list of FAMOUS system passwords.
- The MDHE should document policies and procedures for certain security controls.
The MDHE’s response to each recommendation stated that the MDHE agreed with the recommendation and described the specific measures the MDHE was undertaking to comply with the recommendation. At the Audit Committee meeting in November 2006, MDHE staff updated the committee on the status of each recommendation.
SAO audit on tuition levels follow-up
The SAO’s report contained three recommendations, two of which were directed to the MDHE and one to the General Assembly. The recommendations directed to the MDHE were as follows:
- The MDHE should continue requesting that the General Assembly appropriate the funds necessary for the MDHE to conduct mission reviews as required under state law and, if the necessary funds are not appropriated, the MDHE should require public higher education institutions to conduct periodic efficiency evaluations using pre-defined evaluation criteria and MDHE oversight.
- The MDHE should coordinate with institutional officials to develop a clearinghouse to identify cost-effective best practices.
The recommendation directed to the General Assembly recommended that the General Assembly provide the MDHE with statutory authority to arbitrate disputes between public institutions arising from consortia and collaborative agreements among institutions.
With respect to the two recommendations directed to the MDHE, the MDHE responded by describing in detail the steps that it was taking, in collaboration with public institutions, to implement the SAO’s recommendations. The MDHE did not respond to the recommendation directed to the General Assembly. At the Audit Committee meeting in November 2006, MDHE staff updated the committee on the status of each recommendation and now respectfully submits the report to the full board for its consideration.
Mr. Uphcurch asked Dr. Matchefts whether or not any of the audits include a review of any portion of the operations of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). Dr. Matchefts explained the MDHE, as the state’s designated guarantor, participates in the common review initiative pursuant to federal guidelines and has the obligation to conduct biennial reviews of its top ten lender partners, of which MOHELA is one. MDHE staff last participated in a review of MOHELA in 2005.
Strategic Planning Committee
Ms. Patterson provided an update on the progress that has taken place on a draft strategic plan since the October board meeting. She and Dr. Stein have been working to capture the discussion from the October CBHE meeting, as well as to weave into the plan the ongoing conversations with respect to building a higher education accountability system and developing a tuition policy.
Commissioner Search Committee
Mr. Upchurch, chair of the commissioner search committee, said that the committee and the full board have spoken to several very fine commissioner candidates. The board has identified its candidate to fill the commissioner position, although the board is not prepared to make an announcement at this time. Mr. Upchurch said that board members will be visiting with all MDHE staff this afternoon prior to making a public announcement later today.
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.
Southeast Missouri State University/Three Rivers Community College FY 2006 Site Survey
Mr. Uphcurch encouraged Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers Community College, and MDHE to continue to work together to resolve lingering definitional differences with respect to revenue and expenditure data elements.
Dr. Ken Dobbins, president, Southeast Missouri State University, stated that SEMO is more than happy to provide CBHE with any data the board would like to review. Dr. Dobbins recommended that the institutions report direct costs as well as some other costing measures, thereby satisfying both institutional needs and the needs of the CBHE. Dr. Dobbins reiterated his commitment to full disclosure and providing the CBHE with any requested data.
Higher Education Accountability (Performance Funding)
Several independent actions have recently placed renewed emphasis on higher education accountability both in Missouri and nationally. The governor, legislators, CBHE, and presidents/chancellors have all indicated an interest in the implementation of a relevant accountability framework with consensus that the state system of higher education must provide meaningful evidence that higher education serves the public good and is increasingly vital to the Missouri’s competitiveness in the growing global economy. The CBHE has previously committed to working with presidents and chancellors on a revised higher education funding model that may potentially include a reintroduction of performance funding.
Dr. Don Doucette, president, Missouri Community College Association Presidents/Chancellors Council suggested using an accountability framework as a tool to communicate the worth of higher education to the public and increase public confidence to invest in higher education
Dr. Stein noted that following a joint meeting with CBHE members, MDHE staff, presidents and chancellors, policy makers, and representatives from the Office of the Governor on November 27, 2006, the two- and four-year sectors submitted individual position statements on accountability systems, which have been included with this board item. While the sectors submitted individual position statements, an implemented accountability system would be seamless with the acknowledgement of the differences between two- and four-year institutions and the mission differentiation which exists among and across sectors.
Dr. Stein noted the importance of learning from the experiences of colleagues in other states, such as Minnesota, which has implemented a higher education accountability model that has been cited as progressive and comprehensive.
Chair Swan acknowledged the ongoing collaboration across higher education sectors on this issue; institutions have been responsive to the CBHE, MDHE, and the governor’s office. She encouraged the presidents and chancellors to continue to work collectively and cut across traditional boundaries to further strengthen Missouri’s commitment to transparent accountability in higher education.
Tuition Policy Development for Public Higher Education
Dr. Stein acknowledged the collaborative work taking place on the issue of state level tuition policy. While there is awareness that setting tuition remains the responsibility of individual institutions’ governing boards, there is also consensus that a statement of basic principles regarding the relationship between future tuition levels and state support is appropriate.
Dr. Barbara Dixon, president, Council on Public Higher Education noted that the public sector is as committed as anyone to maintaining higher education affordability without sacrificing the educational experience of students. Dr. Dixon expressed commitment to continuing to work together with the governor and the CBHE.
Report of the Commissioner
Dr. Stein reported on the creation, by executive order, of several interdepartmental coordination councils. Creation of the councils, designed to increase cooperation and communication across departmental lines, was recommended by the State Government Review Commission. MDHE is represented on four of the councils-job creation and economic growth, rural affairs, state employee career opportunity, and state service delivery efficiency.
Dr. Stein noted that a METS proposal focusing on increasing technology in K-12 classrooms is expected to move forward in the coming days. The proposal will likely include a funding request in order to support the initiative.
Dr. Stein clarified the intent of the recent renaming of four area higher education centers operated by Southeast Missouri State University. In a letter addressed to Dr. Stein on December 6, 2006, Dr. Dobbins notes that the renaming of the centers in no way represents an attempt to establish separate SEMO campuses, rather it is intended to represent the fact that SEMO solely operates the centers and is wholly responsible for the delivery of courses at these facilities. The letter is included as Attachment B in these minutes.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, Chair Swan adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Miner
Executive Assistant to the Commissioner
Attachment A
Roster of Guests
Coordinating Board for Higher Education
December 14, 2006
Name - Affiliation
Jessica Ash-Schulte - Department of Higher Education
Constance Bowman - Harris-Stowe State University
Ann Brand - St. Louis Community College
Becky Brennecke - Department of Higher Education
Don Claycomb - Linn State Technical College
Joe Cornelison - Northwest Missouri State University
Cliff Davis - Ozarks Technical Community College
Barbara Dixon - Truman State University
Kenneth Dobbins - Southeast Missouri State University
Don Doucette - Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
John Ganio - St. Louis Community College
Henry Givens, Jr. - Harris-Stowe State University
Charles Gooden - Harris-Stowe State University
Donna Imhoff - Department of Higher Education
Evelyn Jorgenson - Moberly Area Community College
Jim Kellerman - Missouri Community College Association
Jeremy Kintzel - Department of Higher Education
Jillian Lair - Southeast Missouri State University
Julio León - Missouri Southern State University
Brian Long - Council on Public Higher Education
Carolyn Mahoney - Lincoln University
Jim Matchefts - Department of Higher Education
Michael McManis - Truman State University
Brenda Miner - Department of Higher Education
Michael Nietzel - Missouri State University
Marty Oetting - University of Missouri
Ann Pearce - University of Central Missouri
Aaron Podolefsky - University of Central Missouri
Kathy Quick - Hemphill and Associates
Kelli Reed - Department of Higher Education
Greg Sandbothe - Department of Higher Education
James Scanlon - Missouri Western State University
Vicki Schwinke - Linn State Technical College
Kelli Stiles - Armstrong Teasdale
Rochelle Tilghmann - Harris-Stowe State University
Sarah Topp - ICUM
Leroy Wade - Department of Higher Education
Paul Wagner - Missouri Senate
Beth Wheeler - Missouri Western State University
Rose Windmiller - Washington University
Paula Wolken - Department of Higher Education
Attachment B
