Coordinating Board for Higher Education Meeting Minutes 06-99
June 10, 1999
The Coordinating Board for Higher Education met at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 10 at Lindenwood University, St. Charles. Members present were:
Ray Henry, Chairman
Connie Campbell, Vice Chairman
John Bass, Secretary
Marie Carmichael
Lynn Ewing, Jr.
Mary Findley
Jim Summers, Jr.
Mary Joan Wood
Bryan Cook was absent.
Also attending were:
Kala M. Stroup, Commissioner
Isaiah Akin, Communications Intern
Terry Barnes, Asst. Commissioner for Community Colleges and Technical Education
Brenda Butler, Administrative Assistant
Joy Casada, Secretary to the Board
Courtney Hunter, Administrative Intern
Cheryl Kesel, Public Information Officer
Karen Misjak, Director of Missouri Student Assistance Resource Services
Robert Stein, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs
Dale Swoboda, Research Associate for Fiscal Affairs
Paul Wagner, Research Associate for Fiscal Affairs
Eldon Wallace, Associate Commissioner for Fiscal Affairs
John Wittstruck, Associate Commissioner for Policy Analysis and Data Services
There being a quorum present, Chairman Henry called the meeting to order. A list of guests attending the meeting is attached. (Attachment A)
Opening Remarks
Chairman Henry expressed the board's appreciation to Dr. Dennis Spellmann and to Lindenwood University for hosting the meeting.
President Spellmann welcomed everyone to Lindenwood University and stated that it was an honor to host the CBHE meetings. Dr. Spellmann described some of the construction projects that are underway at Lindenwood. He said that Lindenwood was founded in 1827 and is the oldest higher education institution west of the Missouri River. Dr. Spellman expressed his appreciation to the board for what it does to make financial aid possible for students.
Senator Steve Ehlmann welcomed those in attendance to St. Charles County, the city of St. Charles, and Lindenwood University. He noted that he is very proud to have both Lindenwood and St. Charles County Community College in the area. Senator Ehlmann stated that he is very excited about the future of higher education in St. Charles County and thanked the board for all that it has done to help the institutions and pledged his continued support in providing the best possible higher education in the state of Missouri.
Minutes of the April CBHE Meeting
Mrs. Findley moved that the minutes be approved as submitted. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Report of the Commissioner
Commissioner Stroup provided the board an update of her activities since the April meeting. She announced that Dr. Richard Presberry has joined the staff as a senior associate in MOSTARS. He previously served as the senior project manager for the Heartland Alliance for Minority Participation. Dr. Andrew White will be joining the staff as research associate for academic affairs. He currently is coordinator of educational technology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Stroup also announced that there are seven interns working at the CBHE office this summer. They represent both public and private institutions. She introduced Courtney Hunter and Isaiah Akin who were in the audience.
Report of the June 9, 1999 CBHE Trusteeship Development Workshop
Dr. Campbell noted that 23 trustees and presidents in addition to the CBHE participated in the workshop. Very positive comments were received from the participants. The topics covered included: an overview of the CBHE; the role and purpose of trustees; the trustee's guide to funding and financing; and public trust and accountability. Dr. Campbell expressed her appreciation to those who were presenters at the workshop. The goal of the CBHE Committee on Trusteeship Development was to standardize and document an agenda, curriculum, and framework for new trustee development. Dr. Campbell has completed the CBHE handbook for trustee development. She suggested that this handbook and guide should be used as the basis for the next workshop that is scheduled for December 2000.
Report of the May 21 Joint Meeting with the State Board of Education
Chairman Henry commented that the CBHE and the State Board of Education (SBE) held a joint meeting on May 21 in Jefferson City. The two boards spent a good deal of time discussing the dual credit policy revisions. The general feeling was that the SBE considers dual credit a postsecondary problem and they are looking to the CBHE to assure the quality of the offerings. Dr. Henry believes that once the new policy is adopted that the SBE will be cooperative and supportive of the policy. Another topic of discussion was teacher education program reviews. There has been interest in having the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education work together on initiatives to improve teacher education, both for pre-service and in-service. It was pointed out that research regarding teacher education programs indicates that the best teacher education programs are ones where there is strong collaboration between the college of education and the college of arts and sciences. The topic of informing public policy through common research initiatives was also on the agenda. A+ schools were also a topic on the agenda of the joint meeting. Results and accomplishments of A+ designated high schools and A+ Eligible Graduates are very good and include the following:
- A+ designated high schools tend to have higher graduate rates than non-A+ designated high schools;
- A+ designated high schools tend to have lower dropout rates than non-A+ designated high schools;
- A+ designated high schools tend to have slightly higher average daily attendance rates than non-A+ designated high schools;
- A+ Eligible Graduates are more apt to go to college than are high schools seniors not participating individually or attending an A+ designated school; and
- Approximately 58 percent of the eligible students use the A+ financial incentives.
Mrs. Carmichael commented that one of the recommendations from the Missouri K-16 Coalition is that the SBE and CBHE look at ways in which they might share some responsibility for the reapproval of teaching training programs. It was felt that by involving the CBHE in the reapproval process that colleges of arts and sciences would become more engaged in the process of training teachers and that would help raise the quality of teacher training programs.
Report of the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee
Dr. Marianne Inman reported that the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee met earlier in the morning and engaged in extensive discussion of the proposed revisions to the dual credit guidelines. Three key issues were identified regarding dual credit: quality assurance, transferability of credit, and cost. A range of perspectives was expressed. The Council on Public Higher Education indicated unanimous support for the proposed policy. The Missouri Community College Association recommended that the board postpone action on the issue because of a concern over what is perceived as a limitation on the five courses that are mentioned in the policy. The independent institutions, because of a range of practices and policies, do not have a single viewpoint on dual credit. No consensus was reached on this item. Other items on the advisory committee agenda were:
Update on the CBHE Advisory Committee on Technology and Instruction (CTI) and Plans for September Conference (September 15-16) (Knight Higher Education Collaborative/Missouri Presidents-September 14-15)
Dr. John Wittstruck commented that on September 14 and 15 the Coordinating Board will sponsor the Knight Higher Education Collaborative for all college and university presidents and chancellors to continue discussions regarding technology both on campus and across the state. He also mentioned that the CTI is continuing to work toward implementing an inventory of courses offered in distance learning (Adult Learner's Network). The collaborative will be held in conjunction with the second annual conference sponsored by CTI for faculty and other interested campus officials.
Summary of Legislation Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed-First Regular Session, 90th General Assembly
Mr. Eldon Wallace provided the committee with an update on House Bills 3 and 18, the higher education operating and capital improvements budgets. He pointed out that over three years more than $264 million dollars have been appropriated for capital improvements. There has also been an aggregate 16.6 percent increase in funding for the seven major scholarship programs. He also reported briefly on legislation passed which affects the board, institutional governing boards, student representatives to the governing board, student financial aid, and sales tax on textbooks.
Mission Review Process for the State's Public Community Colleges
Commissioner Stroup reported that the board staff is working with the community colleges on their mission review process. A draft of the mission review process was available at the meeting. Dr. Terry Barnes stated that the staff has been looking at the community colleges' mission, role, and scope and that this draft is meant to start the discussion process so that this item can be presented to the board at its October meeting.
Update on the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education
Commissioner Stroup stated that the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education has almost completed its fact gathering phase and has heard from all sectors of higher education. The commission appointed a subgroup to work on recommendations involving student financial assistance.
Revision of CBHE Dual Credit Guidelines
Dr. Robert Stein reported that dual credit programs enable high school students to simultaneously earn college credit and credit towards high school graduation, primarily in core academic subjects. Dual credit programs have dramatically expanded in recent years with a duplicated headcount of over 40,000 students. There has also been an increase in the number of high schools and postsecondary institutions participating in the program. Currently, estimated 1,700 high school faculties are the primary instructors of record that provide course delivery in the high school during the school day. At its June 1998 meeting, the board recognized the complexity of the issues associated with the dual credit policy guidelines, and directed its Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) to conduct further review with the academic community prior to recommending any policy changes. COTA appointed a Dual Credit Task Force to examine the current dual credit policy and make recommendations for revisions.
The proposed policy has been developed through extensive discussions and is designed to ensure the quality of dual credit courses and the ability to transfer the credit between postsecondary institutions. The new policy gives colleges and universities parameters for designing dual credit programs in high schools. It outlines specific, uniform expectations concerning student eligibility, program structure and administration, faculty qualifications and support, assessment of student performance and transferability of credit. By placing responsibility for course quality with the on-campus academic department, the policy assures the central role of an institution's full-time faculty in the design and delivery of the curricula. Accountability will be reinforced through annual reports about the dual credit programs and the public dissemination of a list of institutions in compliance with the policy. The proposed policy would be reviewed in three years for its impact on institutional behavior and student performance. COTA will work with institutions in the design of an implementation plan that will include a standardized reporting format, the collection of baseline data and annual reports, and the development of a "principles of good practice statement." Dr. Stein commented that while COTA has worked toward consensus there is some disagreement within the higher education community on some sections of the new policy.
Dr. John Park, chairman of COTA stated that in his opinion the critical issue in dual credit is the need for improvements in quality. He feels that the issue of the transferability of the number of credits is secondary to the issue of quality. A number of the concerns expressed with the new policy can be addressed in a "principles of good practice" statement. Dr. Park stated that the current policy is inadequate and that the new policy could be considered an "interim" policy which would be a step forward in receiving the data and reports needed to make decisions and to begin to exert control over the quality of these courses.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the new policy. Some areas of concern that were expressed were that it would be three years before a new policy would be reviewed, the potential influence of external forces, the number of courses that would transfer, collecting data on the program, how the offering of dual credit courses might compromise the CBHE core curriculum, and the percentage of high school students who enroll in dual credit courses.
Dr. Kent Farnsworth addressed the board on behalf of the public community colleges presidents and chancellors because they believe, as a group, that it is important to make a statement concerning this policy and that their statement becomes a part of the record of this meeting. The community college presidents and chancellors fully endorse the provisions of the new guidelines that improve the quality of dual credit. However, they believe that there are two provisions in the policy that weaken it considerably and need to be reexamined. The first is the limit of five courses that will be transferred to the receiving institution. The second is the provision that colleges can continue to discount tuition for dual credit courses. Dr. Farnsworth conveyed that it is the recommendation of the community college presidents and chancellors that the board delay action on the dual credit policy until those two provisions have been resolved to the satisfaction of the higher education community. With the board's interest in moving forward with the policy, the community college presidents and chancellors asked that the board delay the provision which limits credits that will transfer and the statement on discounting until the October CBHE meeting. Dr. Farnsworth asked that the Missouri Community College Association's position statement be included in the record of the meeting so that it will be clear that the presidents and chancellors had concerns as the policy came to the board. (Attachment B)
Chairman Henry noted that the CBHE has worked through a consensus method over the years but that it is probably not realistic to think that the higher education community will always be in full agreement on all things. He stated that he is not sure that after hearing the positions stated that more time would help resolve the concerns.
Dr. Greg Atkins, president of Jefferson College and a member of COTA, stated that COTA has worked for a long time on a number of issues related to transfer and articulation and there is agreement on a number of items. He stated that he is doubtful if the eight COTA members could resolve the two issues that are of concern to the community college presidents and chancellors but maybe they can clarify them. Dr. Atkins commented that he would be satisfied for the board to adopt all of the policy with the exception of the two areas of concern to the community college presidents and chancellors and give COTA a strict timeline to report back to the board with additional recommendations on those concerns.
Dr. Steve Lehmkuhle, co-chairman of the Dual Credit Task Force, and Dr. Julio Leon, a member of COTA, individually addressed the board. Each of them commented that the task force has dealt with these issues since December and has thoroughly discussed the issue of limits and they each felt that more time would not resolve the concerns.
Dr. Stein pointed out that the staff and COTA could work with institutions in preparing clarifying comments of the intent and the interpretation of this policy. Chairman Henry asked that the clarification of language be completed by the October CBHE meeting to ensure clarity about the board's dual credit policy. It was requested that the staff present progress reports to the board as data become available.
Mrs. Carmichael moved that:
the Coordinating Board for Higher Education adopt the "Policy Guidelines for the Delivery and Transferability of Credit Obtained in Dual Credit Programs Offered in High Schools" as a replacement for its February 28, 1992 "Guidelines for the Delivery of Dual Credit Courses." Notification of the board's action shall be shared with all public, independent, and major proprietary institutions in Missouri. Furthermore, the State Board of Education should be encouraged to support and promote the intent of this policy with high school superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers, and students;
the board direct its Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) to work with institutional representatives in the development of a standardized reporting format and a Principles of Good Practice Statement for Dual Credit Program Delivery;
baseline data be collected as soon as possible and that annual reports be submitted beginning in summer, 2000. Furthermore, a list of institutions in compliance with the board's dual credit policy should be compiled and shared with institutions. Public dissemination of the list of compliant institutions to high school students and personnel should begin in September 2001, with annual updates; and,
COTA review the policy in three years for its impact on institutional behavior and student performance.
Mrs. Findley seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Update on Missouri K-16 Coalition Activities
Mrs. Carmichael reported that at its May 18 meeting the coalition reviewed House Bill 889 passed by the General Assembly. If signed into law, social promotion from one grade level to the next would no longer be automatic. School districts would be permitted to require students who do not meet performance expectations to participate after school, on weekends, and/or during the summer in academic activities that address their deficiencies. The coalition received information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on its redesign of professional development programs for teachers of mathematics. DESE will initiate its new approach that emphasizes student achievement by focusing on content, performance and leadership during the summer of 1999. Coalition members stressed the importance of using content as a major driver in the design of professional development experiences. Coalition members also discussed the role of Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) in providing continuing enrichment to pre-service and practicing teachers and agreed that the RPDCs are important vehicles to help retrain teachers. The coalition has several more meetings scheduled and hopes to present formal recommendations to the CBHE at its October meeting.
Update on Review of General Education
Dr. Robert Stein reported that the General Education Steering Committee (GESC) has made substantial progress in the design of recommendations for a state-level general education policy that addresses the concerns of credit transfer and articulation. The GESC has developed initial drafts of: a rationale of general education statement, a statement of principles of good practice for general education, and a set of broad-based goals identified for lower-division general education. In order to ensure extensive review and comment on the committee's work from the higher education community, the GESC has posted its drafts on an electronic discussion board. The comments generated by this process will be reviewed and discussed when the General Education Steering Committee participates in the 1999 AAHE Summer Academy. At the summer academy, the committee will refine its draft documents and prepare materials and an agenda for a fall working conference. The 1999 statewide general education working conference will be held on October 26-27 in Columbia. The purposes of the conference are to inform a diverse and representative group of faculty from across the state about the work of the GESC and to engage faculty in an ongoing dialogue about the statements of rationale, principles, and state-level goals and competencies for general education. The conference will have the major objective of designing a state-level general education policy that has wide faculty support.
Update on the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education
Commissioner Stroup presented this update during the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee meeting. (See that section of the minutes.)
Administrative Rule for the Missouri College Guarantee Program
Ms. Karen Misjak reported that House Bill 1519, passed by the 1998 Missouri General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Carnahan, created the Missouri College Guarantee Program. The program provides student financial assistance in the form of need-based scholarships to eligible Missouri residents attending approved Missouri postsecondary institutions. For the state of Missouri to implement and interpret law or policy for any program, an administrative rule must be drafted and filed with the Secretary of State to be published in the Missouri Register. The administrative rule will become the basis for MOSTARS and approved Missouri institutions to administer the program in compliance with statutory provisions. To file the proposed rule with the Secretary of State as an administrative rule entails publishing it in the Missouri Register for a thirty (30) day public comment period. Following that period, the rules and regulations may be revised and republished, withdrawn, or declared in effect. To accomplish any of these options, an Order of Rulemaking must be published in the Missouri Register.
Mrs. Carmichael moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education authorize the Commissioner of Higher Education, in the absence of significant comment from the Attorney General's Office, to file the proposed administrative rule with the Secretary of State to be published in the Missouri Register at the earliest possible date and to submit concurrently the proposed rule to the joint committee on administrative rules as required in House Bill 1519.
Mrs. Carmichael further moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education authorize the Commissioner of Higher Education to proceed, after the public comment period and in the absence of significant comment, to file an Order of Rulemaking with the Secretary of State for publishing in the Missouri Register on a schedule that Administrative Rule 6 CSR 10-2.150 shall become effective at the earliest possible date. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Recommended Action on Guarantee Fee
Ms. Misjak commented that currently under federal law guaranty agencies are authorized to charge borrowers a guarantee fee of up to 1 percent of the loan amount for Federal Stafford and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans. The CBHE, in its role as the state designated guarantor, currently charges borrowers a 1 percent guarantee fee. Prior to the 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, guarantee fees were deposited into a guaranty agency's reserve fund. The 1998 reauthorization eliminated guaranty agency reserve funds and required each guaranty agency to establish two new funds, a federal fund and an operating fund. According to the legislation, revenues generated from guarantee fees must be recorded as revenues of the federal fund. The federal fund is the property of the federal government and it is no longer utilized for the administration of the Federal Family Education Loan Program. The guarantee fee waiver will increase the amount of funds available to students without increasing the amount of student debt. Many agencies in neighboring states are either eliminating or reducing their guarantee fees. If the CBHE continues to assess the guarantee fee when its competitors do not, participating schools and lenders may leave the Missouri guaranty agency for competing programs that offer increased benefits to students. With the elimination of the guarantee fee, the federal fund balance would be continually monitored and analyses performed each year to determine the feasibility of continuing the policy. The fee may be reinstated if significant changes occur that adversely impacts the agency's loan portfolio and the balance of the federal fund.
Mr. Bass moved that the Coordinating Board authorize the waiver of the 1 percent guarantee fee for all loans guaranteed on or after July 1, 1999. Mrs. Findley seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Recommended Changes in the Funding for Results Budget for FY 2001 and Beyond
Dr. Robert Stein stated that the design of FFR elements is based on previous planning priorities; and the board's nine FFR principles, and continues to evolve based on consultation with institutional representatives. Over the past few years, some elements have been added, some deleted, and others refined in order to establish measurements that are more meaningful and better aligned with the board's major public policy goals. In February and April, the staff identifies potential changes in FFR for the board's consideration and in June, presents for board approval FFR elements that will be used in the budget recommendation presented in October. There is general agreement throughout the academic community that changes to FFR for FY 2001 should be minor and that inclusion of new FFR elements or new data requirements should be targeted for FY 2002.
The FFR Advisory Council has discussed the element on Freshmen Success Rates extensively and recommends that the title of this FFR element be changed to Full-time Freshmen Completion Rates. This label is perceived as more accurate of the behavior being monitored. Dr. Stein reported that the original target goals for this element were based on aspiration levels rather than on actual student performance. The staff now has the benefit of two years of student performance data that illustrate the importance of student preparation for successfully completing the first academic year as a full-time student. Based on a review of these data on actual student performance, it is recommended that the board's one-year agreement for new target goals for Full-time Freshmen Completion Rates become official board policy. The new target goals would be:
- 90 percent at highly selective institutions
- 80 percent at selective institutions
- 70 percent at moderately selective institutions
- 55 percent at open-enrollment institutions.
The following FFR elements are recommended for inclusion in the FY 2001 budget request:
- assessment of graduates (two- and four-year);
- success of underrepresented groups (two- and four-year);
- performance of graduates (two- and four-year);
- full-time freshmen completion rates (two- and four-year);
- successful transfer (two- and four-year);
- quality of prospective teachers (four-year);
- quality of new undergraduate students (four-year);
- quality of new graduate students (four-year);
- attainment of graduation goals (four-year);
- certificate/degree productivity (two-year);
- successful job placement (two-year); and,
- campus teaching/learning improvement projects (two- and four-year).
Mr. Ewing moved that the board approve the list of FFR elements to be used for the FY 2001 budget recommendation and that the target goals for Full-time Freshmen Completion Rates be officially changed as described above. He also moved that CBHE staff work with institutional representatives both to ensure the timely submission and accuracy of performance data and to develop a recommended allocation structure for each FFR element for the FY 2001 budget recommendation. Mr. Ewing further moved that the staff continue to work with institutional representatives in shaping FFR for FY 2002 and beyond. Mrs. Findley seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Appointments to the Video Instructional Development and Educational Opportunity Program Advisory Committee
Dr. Wittstruck noted that in 1988 the Missouri General Assembly established the Video Instructional Development and Educational Opportunity Program Advisory Committee to encourage all educational institutions to supplement their educational offerings through telecommunications technology and satellite broadcast instruction. The program is administered by the State Board of Education. The legislation also established an advisory committee for the program to recommend grant recipients to the State Board of Education. The committee consists of 29 members. The Coordinating Board makes 10 appointments to this committee. The ten CBHE appointments represent state supported institutions of higher education that are not community colleges (4), public two-year community colleges (4), public television (1), and the cable television industry (1). One statutory limitation is that no more than four shall be from any one congressional district. At this time, the CBHE needs to fill four vacancies on the committee. Nominations for these appointments or recommendations for reappointment were requested from the presidents and chancellors of Missouri's public colleges and universities.
Mr. Summers moved that the Coordinating Board reappoint the following two persons to three-year terms, from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2002, to the Video Advisory Committee: Wendell Smith, Dean of Continuing Education and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (District 1), and Michael Madden, Coordinator of Instructional Media at Ozarks Technical Community College (District 7).
Mr. Summers further moved that the board appoint Allan Wamsley, Director of the Instructional Support Center at Jefferson College (District 3) to complete the term of appointment through June 30, 2000 for Ted Rohr of St. Louis Community College who has retired.
Mr. Summers also moved that the board appoint Don Peterson, Director of Broadcast Services and KMOS Public Television at Central Missouri State University (District 4) to a three-year term beginning July 1, 1999 as the Coordinating Board's public television station representative to the Video Instructional Development and Educational Opportunity Program Advisory Committee. Mr. Ewing seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Update on the CBHE Advisory Committee on Technology and Instruction (CTI) and Plans for the September Conference
Dr. Wittstruck presented this item at the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee meeting. (See that section of the minutes.)
Proposed Guidelines for Selecting Priorities for Higher Education Capital Improvements Projects, FY 2001
Mr. Wallace reported that the capital improvements guidelines are intended to provide assistance to the public two- and four-year institutions and Linn State Technical College in developing and organizing their capital budget request. The guidelines are also used by the CBHE staff in making initial project rankings for the CBHE as it prepares a capital request to the governor and the legislature. The guidelines emphasize the importance placed by the CBHE in identifying and supporting those projects that are related to the respective missions of the institution within the system of Missouri higher education.
Dr. Campbell moved that the Coordinating Board adopt the Guidelines for Selecting Priorities for Capital Improvements Projects for Public Colleges and Universities. Mrs. Wood seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment D)
Mission Review Process
Commissioner Stroup reported that the staff would be holding mission review and budget meetings with the institutions throughout the summer. As discussed at the presidential advisory committee meeting, a draft of the community colleges' mission review process has been prepared. It is anticipated that the draft will be presented to the board for action at its October meeting.
Progress Report on the Implementation of Linn State Technical College's Five-year Master Plan
Dr. Barnes stated that this item contains Linn State Technical College's second quarterly report for 1999. Linn State has made the following progress since its last report:
- Evaluated the year's progress on the North Central Association (NCA) Accreditation Self-Study process by the 13 campus NCA committees;
- Developed a comprehensive student assessment plan that focuses on measuring expected learning outcomes in each technical program, including student, alumni, and employer satisfaction instruments administered at strategic points in time;
- Continued to monitor faculty progress toward earning bachelor degrees. Of the original cohort of 31 faculty without baccalaureate degrees, 22 have received their degrees, seven are still working toward a degree, and two will take early retirement;
- Evaluated the systematic development of the college's formal assessment plan according to NCA guidelines;
- Submitted for CBHE approval the new Civil and Construction Engineering Technology and Telecommunications Engineering Technology AAS degree programs, which are scheduled for implementation in the 1999 fall semester;
- Received funding from the Missouri General Assembly for construction of a $12.8 million Information Technology Center that will eventually house the LSTC library;
- Continued to make progress toward planning, designing and financing on-campus student housing;
- Monitored the completion of construction at the Mexico Advanced Technology Center;
- Eight students successfully completed the first-year of the Integrated Manufacturing AAS degree program operating in Mexico; and
- Continued to monitor 1999 fall semester, first-time, full-time freshmen applications for admission, as well as pre-registering second year students.
Dr. Barnes noted that the grand opening of the Mexico Advanced Technology Center is scheduled for June 18 and encouraged board members to attend.
Proposed CBHE Staff Salary Schedule to Reflect Uniform Classification Plan Pay Grid, FY 2000
Mr. Wallace explained that CBHE staff is subject to the provisions of Section 36.031 RSMo regarding the Uniform Classification and Pay Plan. Although not all staff is included in the Uniform Classification Plan Pay many of the staff are presently classified with position titles, descriptions and rates of compensation included in the Division of Personnel pay plan. It has been an annual practice to present position titles and salary ranges to the board for its review and approval. The salary schedule makes adjustments for each position to reflect the pay plan adopted by the General Assembly.
Mr. Ewing moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approve the proposed changes in the staff salary schedule as indicated. Mr. Summers seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment E)
Summary of Legislation Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed-First Regular Session, 90th General Assembly
In addition to his comments made in the minutes of the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee meeting, Mr. Wallace commented that in the MOSTARS appropriations additional operating and staffing funds were included for administrative costs related to the Advantage Missouri and Missouri College Guarantee Programs.
Coordinating Board for Higher Education Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly
Commissioner Stroup reported that the CBHE is required by statute to make an annual report to the governor and General Assembly. The annual report of the actions of the Coordinating Board and the activities of the Missouri higher education community is organized around the board's five strategic initiatives included in the Blueprint for Missouri Higher Education.
Mrs. Findley moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education accept the 1998 annual report, Show-Me Higher Education?Ensuring Access, Quality, and Efficiency, and present it to Governor Mel Carnahan and the Missouri General Assembly. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
Report of the CBHE Nominating Committee and Election of Officers
Mrs. Findley, a member of the nominating committee, presented the following slate of officers:
Ray Henry, Chairman
Connie Campbell, Vice Chairman
John Bass, Secretary
There being no nominations from the floor, Mr. Ewing moved that the slate of officers be elected by acclamation. Mr. Summers seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
CBHE Appointment to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority Board of Directors
Chairman Henry reappointed John Bass to serve as the CBHE's appointment to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority Board of Directors.
Review of the CBHE Public Policies Book
Chairman Henry reported that Section VI: Postsecondary Technical Education was on the agenda for review at this meeting. There were no revisions to this section at this time.
Information Items
The board received the following information items:
Commissioner Stroup noted that the Outstanding Schools Act directs the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to prepare an annual report for the State Board of Education that describes the performance of Missouri public high school graduates in the state's system of public higher education. The report includes information such as grade point average after the initial college year, the percentage of students returning to college after the first and second half of the initial college year, the percentage of students taking noncollege level or remedial courses in basic academic courses, and other such data as determined by the CBHE. Some findings of the report are:
- A total of 18,385 Missouri public high school graduates entered the state's public colleges and universities in the fall of 1997. Of these, 56 percent were women, and 44 percent were men. Overall, 86 percent were white, 8 percent were African-American, 1.5 percent were Asian-American, and 1 percent were Hispanic.
- Seventy percent of the 1997 freshmen reported ACT scores. The mean of these scores was 22.7, which was above the national average of 21.0.
- In 1997, one-fifth of these freshmen were enrolled in remedial mathematics, 13 percent in remedial English, and 8 percent in remedial reading. The majority of these students are enrolled in either a state community college or one of the state's two open enrollment four-year institutions.
- Ninety percent of these freshmen completed their first semester, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.47. Seventy-eight percent completed the spring 1998 semester, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.58. In the fall of 1998, 74 percent were enrolled, with an average of 28.7 credit hours.
Executive Session
Mr. Ewing moved that the board go into executive session for the following purpose:
RSMo 610.021(3) relating to "hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded."
Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed with the following vote:
John Bass - yes
Connie Campbell - yes
Marie Carmichael - yes
Lynn Ewing - yes
Mary Findley - yes
Ray Henry - yes
Jim Summers - yes
Mary Joan Wood - yes
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Ray Henry, Chairman
John Bass, Secretary
