Coordinating Board for Higher Education Meeting Minutes 12-98

December 9, 1998

The Coordinating Board for Higher Education met at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 1998 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Members present were:

Ray Henry, Chairman
Connie Campbell, Vice Chairman
John Bass, Secretary
Marie Carmichael
Lynn M. Ewing, Jr.
Mary Findley
Jim Summers, Jr.
Mary Joan Wood

Absent was Bryan Cook.

Also attending were:

Kala M. Stroup, Commissioner
Eldon Wallace, Associate Commissioner for Fiscal Affairs
John Wittstruck, Associate Commissioner for Policy Analysis and Data Services
Terry Barnes, Assistant Commissioner for Community Colleges and Technical Education
Robert Stein, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs
Joy Casada, Secretary to the Board
Cheri Chockley, Research Associate
Rita French, Administrative Assistant
Tony Girardi, Graduate Intern
Cheryl Kesel, Public Information Specialist
Shelly Lamb, Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner
Tracy McDaniels, Administrative Intern
Karen Misjak, Director of Missouri Student Assistance Resource Services
Dan Peterson, Deputy Director of Missouri Student Assistance Resource Services
Cleo Samudzi, Senior Associate for Academic Affairs
Dale Swoboda, Research Associate for Fiscal Affairs
Leroy Wade, Director for Proprietary School Certification
Paul Wagner, Research Associate for Fiscal Affairs
Paula Walker, Clerk II
Wei Zhou, Research Director

There being a quorum present, Chairman Henry called the meeting to order. A list of guests attending the meeting is attached. (Attachment A)

Minutes of the October CBHE Meeting

Mrs. Carmichael moved that the minutes be approved as submitted. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.

Report of the Commissioner

Commissioner Stroup introduced Dr. Fred Grogan the new president of Longview Community College and Dr. Merna Saliman the new president of Maple Woods Community College. The commissioner also introduced Dr. Wei Zhou, the new research director at the department. Prior to joining the department Dr. Zhou was the assessment coordinator at the University of Cincinnati. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Proposed 2000 CBHE Meeting Dates

Mrs. Findley moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education adopt the proposed 2000 meeting dates as listed. Mrs. Wood seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. The 2000 meeting dates are February 10, April 13, June 7 and 8, October 12, and December 6 and 7.

Proposed 1999 Legislative Initiatives

Mr. Wallace reported that there are three legislative initiatives that the staff recommends should be introduced during the 90th General Assembly. They include the following:

• The legislative recognition of the Automated Transfer of Money (ATOM) escrow account that the Missouri Student Loan Program utilizes in order to streamline its delivery of loan funds to students. The ATOM account is currently maintained under U.S. Department of Education regulations and has been in operation for several years. A request for legislative recognition of this program comes at the suggestion of the state auditor's office.
• A legislative adjustment regarding the College Guarantee Program that was established in HB 1519 and 1165 (1998). That legislation specifies that proceeds from the Gaming Commission Fund are first transferred into the College Guarantee Program beginning in FY 1999. The bill also specifies that scholarships under the program will first be awarded in the fall term of 2000, which is in FY 2001. The Department of Higher Education would like to change this legislation to allow the awarding of scholarships in the fall term of 1999 to parallel the distribution of funds into the program.
• Changes to the composition of the governing boards of Central Missouri State University and Southwest Missouri State University. Senate Bill 340 (1995), that established the current composition of these boards, copied language regarding governing board appointments from the statute establishing the governing board of Truman State University. That language was specific to the mission of Truman State University and some revisions are necessary to better match the statewide missions assigned to both Central and Southwest.

Mr. Wallace informed the board that the Department of Economic Development will be initiating efforts in revising the portion of HB 1601 (1998) that gave the Department of Higher Education responsibility for various aspects of the certification of message therapists training.

Mr. Bass moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education endorse the proposed legislative changes. Mr. Summers seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (See Attachment B)

Presentations to Everett Brown

Chairman Henry introduced former board member, Everett Brown. Mr. Brown was recognized for his many years of service in higher education in northwest Missouri and for serving as a member of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education from October 1993 to June 1998. Many of the initiatives that the CBHE is currently dealing with were initiated or suggested by Mr. Brown. Mrs. Carmichael who was chair of the board at the time Mr. Brown's term expired presented him with a plaque recognizing him for his outstanding performance and dedication on behalf of the state of Missouri as a member of the CBHE. She also presented him with a proclamation from Governor Carnahan commending and thanking him for his outstanding work on the board.

Missouri Institutional Nomenclature Change: Missouri Southern State College

Chairman Henry reported that President Julio Leon has withdrawn this item from consideration but that Dr. Leon has asked to address the board.

Dr. Leon outlined several reasons why the Missouri Southern name change proposal was being withdrawn. The primary reason was the CBHE staff analysis of the proposal and the possibility that the board would not endorse the name change being proposed, i.e. Missouri Southern State University. Dr. Leon stated that Missouri Southern would like to reexamine its options, visit with its constituencies about other possible names, and may come before the CBHE again with a different proposal that would be more in line with what is acceptable or agreeable with other institutions as well as the CBHE.

Chairman Henry recognized that this was a difficult decision for Missouri Southern to make and commended Dr. Leon for assessing the situation and arriving at the decision to withdraw the proposal. Dr. Henry asked President Leon to assure Missouri Southern's constituents that the evaluation comments made necessary by the nomenclature guidelines concerning the name proposal are in no way a reflection of the quality of Missouri Southern or its dynamic leadership.

Annual Report of the CBHE Proprietary School Program

Mr. Wade presented an overview of the CBHE Proprietary School Program. Functions of the program are to certify new and existing schools, exempt schools, review changes, deal with student complaints, provide information to the general public and to students, and to serve as a liaison between the CBHE, and the department and other agencies that are involved in postsecondary and private career school education. The program focuses on consumer protection, providing technical assistance to the schools, and assuring that consumers are informed so that they can make wise decisions about the type and location of institutions that they want to attend. There are three main categories of schools in this program. They are the Missouri-based private career schools, non-Missouri institutions offering degree level courses and programs in the state, and non-Missouri proprietary schools certified only for purposes of recruiting new students.

Mr. Wade reported that as of December 1 there were 119 schools licensed to operate under this program with an approximate enrollment of 45,000. (Ninety-four percent of the students in this program are enrolled in the Missouri private career schools.) Forty-two percent of the students are under the age of 25. Nineteen percent of the students are African-American. Seventy-nine percent of students are high school graduates. There are a total of 942 programs offered through these schools, 30 percent of those programs are degree level, and 38 percent of the students are enrolled in degree programs.

The staff conducts on-site reviews of these institutions and routine visits are scheduled on a three-year cycle. An initial certification visit is made once an institution has been certified. They received 119 annual renewal applications and over 200 requests for applications to establish new schools. Major in-state partners with this program are the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Economic Development. The staff also works with the U.S. Department of Education in operating this program. Mr. Wade also works very closely with the Proprietary School Advisory Committee. He introduced Ms. April Durnell, Bryan Career College, Springfield and Mr. George Holske, Metro Business College, Jefferson City, Rolla, and Cape Girardeau, who are current members of the advisory committee. He also introduced Mr. Larkin Hicks, Al-Med Academy, St. Louis, a former member of the Proprietary School Advisory Committee. This sector also works very closely with the Missouri Association of Private Career Schools. Mr. Wade discussed some of the trends that he sees occurring in this field and responses that he feels should be taken. A big step in addressing some of the concerns is the addition of 2 FTE, which the board approved at its October meeting for inclusion in its FY 2000 budget request. It will allow the staff to perform more site visits and to do those visits in a more timely fashion and keep pace with growing numbers of applications. Additional staff will also allow for more thorough and more timely review of new applications.

Appointments to the Proprietary School Advisory Committee

Mr. Wade reported that the Propriety School Advisory Committee is a very important part of how the proprietary school program is administered in that it provides a large amount of assistance and guidance to the staff. At the end of 1998, two vacancies will occur on the Proprietary School Advisory Committee. Those members whose terms are expiring are Ms. April Durnell, Bryan Career College (Springfield) and Ms. Barbara Loven, Sanford-Brown College (Des Peres). The commissioner has appointed Ms. Ruby Crenshaw Harriman and Mr. J. Barry Mannion to fill these vacancies, effective January 1, 1999 and extending through December 31, 2001. Ms. Harriman is the founder, owner, and chief executive officer of the Daruby School of St. Louis. Daruby School was established in 1994 and is a nondegree granting institution providing instruction in entry-level computer related programs. Mr. Mannion is Vice President of School Operations for Vatterott College, with six campuses in Missouri and locations in four neighboring states.

Appointments to the CBHE Advisory Committee on Technology and Instruction (CTI)

Dr. Wittstruck commented that one recommendation from the September 21, 1998 Presidents' Conference on Telecommunications was that a CBHE standing advisory committee be established to advise and make recommendations to the board in order to advance the higher education agenda in the use of technology in the acceleration of learning and in the use of advanced technology in providing greater access to higher education opportunities in Missouri. At its October 1998 meeting, the board directed the Commissioner of Higher Education, in consultation with the CBHE Presidential Advisory Committee, to appoint such a committee. A seventeen-member committee is proposed. The proposed committee includes: institutions with different missions in educational outreach and extension; regional consortia; public and independent colleges and universities; statewide organizations that support technological access to learning resources; as well as the State Board of Education. Also it is proposed that additional groups be included for the consultative expertise they can bring to the committee's deliberations.

Dr. Campbell moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approved the seventeen (17) member Advisory Committee on Technology and Instruction (CTI). Mrs. Wood seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment C)

Recertification of Eligibility for Institutional Participation in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program

Mr. Peterson explained that in compliance with the regulations on institutional eligibility for participation in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program approved institutions must be recertified every three years. The last recertification date was October 1995. Eighty-three Missouri postsecondary institutions currently approved to participate in the program were scheduled for review this year. Completed applications for recertification were received from all of the institutions that qualify and are due for recertification. As a result of a change in ownership at one institution, that institution no longer meets the institutional eligibility criteria to participate in the program. The remaining 82 institutions are in compliance with the recertification requirements and were recommended for recertification to participate in the Gallagher Program until December 2001.

Mr. Summers moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approve the institutions who met the recertification criteria to participate in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program until December 2001. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment D)

Institutional Eligibility to Participate in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program: Gibson Technical Center and Saline County Career Center

Mr. Peterson reported that Gibson Technical Center and Saline County Career Center have submitted the required application materials requesting approval for participation in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program. The staff has reviewed these materials and determined that these two institutions have met the statutory requirements to be approved for participation in this program. Approval to participate in the Gallagher Program will allow the institutions to be considered for participation in the other CBHE administered state financial assistance programs.

Mr. Bass moved that Gibson Technical Center and Saline County Career Center be approved as eligible institutions to participate in the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program and the other state financial assistance programs administered by the CBHE beginning with the 1999-2000 academic year. Dr. Campbell seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.

Appointments to the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education

Commissioner Stroup stated that the people recommended to serve on the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education have been drawn from the legislature, governor's office, leaders in business and industry, governing boards, new media, students, parents, faculty, presidents from various higher education sectors, and lenders. The charge to the commission will be to initiate a wide-ranging dialogue on the affordability of postsecondary education in Missouri, to collect and analyze pertinent data, to identify higher education approaches to improving accountability, to identify innovative approaches at cost control, and to report on cost saving initiatives. The commission will have one year to address its charges and to prepare a report with recommendations for consideration by the coordinating board. The commission's findings will be presented at the 1999 Governor's Conference on Higher Education. The initial meeting of the commission was held on December 9, 1998 in Jefferson City.

Mrs. Findley moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education appoint the attached list of Missouri citizens to the Missouri Commission on the Affordability of Higher Education and that Commissioner Stroup may make further appointments to the commission as responses are received. She further moved that the commission hold its initial meeting in conjunction with the 1998 Governor's Conference on Higher Education and present its report with recommendations to the board and Missouri higher education community at the 1999 Governor's Conference on Higher Education. Mr. Ewing seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment E)

Update on Missouri K-16 Coalition Activities

Mrs. Carmichael reported that the Missouri K-16 Coalition is continuing to meet and discuss ways to improve student achievement in mathematics. At its October 30th meeting the coalition discussed consequences for student performance and developing diagnostic tests early on so that intervention strategies can be developed for students with deficiencies. The coalition talked about ways in which professional development monies could be better utilized to promote mathematics education. The CBHE statewide review of general education was also discussed. In response to the concerns raised by some members about the process that is being used to arrive at conclusions and recommendations, the coalition appointed a subcommittee to explore those concerns. The coalition will meet again in February.

Progress Report on the Implementation of the Linn State Technical College Five-year Master Plan

Dr. Barnes reported that since Linn State Technical College's October report to the CBHE the institutions has made the following progress:

• Progressed closer toward North Central Association accreditation in that Linn Tech met with NCA staff for consultation on outstanding issues remaining after earning candidacy status, and in preparing for earning accreditation status, and set the campus comprehensive visit for April 2000;
• Reviewed the following issues with the NCA consultant: establishment of a library appropriate for a two-year technical college; clarification of the mission statement in relationship to LSTC's statewide role as a two-year technical college; clarification of the open admissions policy in relationship to specific program admission requirements; and the scope of developmental studies activities for underprepared students;
• Adopted a due process grievance policy to handle student complaints;
• Received notification from the U.S. Department Education that LSTC's Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program cohort default rate is improving;
• Continued to monitor faculty progress toward earning bachelor degrees. Four faculty members will complete degree requirements at the end of the fall 1998 semester. As of December 1998, 79 percent of the full-time faculty will have earned a minimum of a bachelor degree or higher;
• Scheduled a five-year program review calendar whereby 20 percent of the current AAS and certificate programs will be formally reviewed each year;
• Continued efforts to fully develop two new AAS degree programs scheduled for implementation in the 1999 fall semester, including civil and construction engineering technology and telecommunications engineering technology;
• Selected the J. E. Dunn Company to coordinate and supervise the construction of the Information Technology Center building on campus;
• Continued to monitor the construction progress of the Mexico Advanced Technology Center scheduled for completion sometime in February 1999;
• Implemented the admissions and program placement policy adopted in September 1997 by administering program placement tests to all but seven of the 345 first-time, full-time freshmen students admitted this fall; and
• Listed the official fall 1998 enrollment as of October 15 as 739, including 707 full-time and 32 part-time students.

Mr. Bass commented that he would like to see some information on student satisfaction with LSTC. President Claycomb stated that he would address that issue in a study. Mrs. Findley commended LSTC on the progress that the faculty is making toward receiving bachelor degrees.

Update on Review of General Education for Transfer Students

President Dale Nitzschke advised that the CBHE Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) is taking an aggressive, comprehensive, meticulous, democratic and collegial approach to its review of general education for transfer students; an issue that is very substantive in nature. COTA has received two reports from the General Education Steering Committee (GESC). The GESC will conclude phase I of its study in time to share the recommendation on whether to change Section A (General Education) of the current transfer policy at the 1999 Statewide Conference on Transfer and Articulation. The committee will also discuss process, issues, and proficiency approaches to general education during the upcoming conference.

Status of review of Dual Credit Guidelines

Dr. Stein noted that as a result of extensive discussions concerning the board's 1992 Dual Credit Guidelines and several draft revisions to these guidelines, the Coordinating Board directed its Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) to determine if any changes should be recommended to its policy. In October 1998 many institutions suggested that, at least some aspect of this policy should be changed. There was also broad consensus suggesting the need for greater enforcement of whatever policy is officially in place.

President Nitzschke stated COTA has appointed a task force that is charged with the responsibility to review the CBHE's 1992 Dual Credit Guidelines and to advise COTA if any changes to this policy should be made. The task force consists of three representatives from public four-year institutions, three representatives from public two-year institutions, one representative from independent four-year institutions, and one representative from independent/proprietary two-year institutions. In making appointments to the task force, COTA sought balance across several factors, including primary work assignment, geographical region, underrepresented groups, and level of dual credit activity. The task force is co-chaired by Dr. Steve Lehmkuhle, University of Missouri, and Dr. Mary Phyfer, Three Rivers Community College. Other task force members are Dr. Susan Falzone, ITT Technical Institute, Dr. Rosemary Hearn, Lincoln University, Dr. Karen Hertzog, Metropolitan Community Colleges, Dr. Janet Murphy, Missouri Western State College, Dr. Frank Shepard, Ozarks Technical Community College, and Dr. Patricia Thro, Maryville University of St. Louis. The Dual Credit Task Force will be encouraged to collect and analyze policies from other states, review institutional responses to COTA's 1998 survey, update information on the scope and magnitude of dual credit activity in Missouri, and seek additional institutional data on the performance of dual credit students. The task force has been directed to share an initial report with COTA by January 15, 1999.

Mrs. Carmichael moved that the Coordinating Board commend its Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) for seeking additional data to inform public policy discussions on this topic and that the CBHE direct COTA to work expeditiously toward completion of its review during the current fiscal year and to provide the board with regular reports on the status of this important work. Dr. Campbell seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.

CBHE Funding Recommendations for Community Colleges' Facilities, Grounds and Equipment

Mr. Wallace reported that at the CBHE's June meeting, when the board approved the Guidelines for Higher Education Capital Improvements for the four-year institutions, the staff was asked to survey the community college presidents concerning their interest in developing a position statement regarding community college capital needs and their projected ability to finance those needs. In developing that statement, the presidents and chancellors were advised to consider the following factors:

• Need for special facilities, including the renovation and modernization of technical education facilities;
• Ability to coordinate capital facilities planning and budgeting with the present and projected investments in public four-year campuses;
• Projected impact of electronic distance education on community college capital needs;
• Impact of new legislation facilitating major district annexation efforts; and
• Other factors related to financing capital facilities within the overall framework of postsecondary technical education, including local resources.

In October 1998 the board approved a total budget request of $11,719,000 for community college capital purposes including construction projects, maintenance, repair, and equipment. Of the $11.7 million, half or $5,859,000 was to be for specific projects. Based on the survey and discussions with community colleges regarding their capital needs three projects are recommended for funding from the $5.8 million. All three projects recognize mission-related maintenance, repair, and equipment replacement, and capital investment needs at community colleges. The primary emphasis is on the top criterion approved by the board, the modernization of postsecondary technical education facilities. The three projects are:

• Matching state funds of $4,400,000 for Metropolitan Community Colleges' purchase and renovation of the Kansas City Regional Business and Technology Center at a cost of $8,800,000.
• Fifty percent or $1,289,512 of the estimated cost of $2,590,024 for the construction of the Center for Allied Health Technologies at State Fair Community College which is a portion of State Fair's project to construct a new Student Life Center for $7,000,000.
• Additional funds in the amount of $170,807 to be used to complete construction of East Central College's Business and Industrial Technology Center.

Dr. Campbell moved that the staff recommendations for distributing FY 2000 CBHE-allocated funding for community college facilities, grounds, and equipment be approved as presented. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.

Revisions to the CBHE Public Policy Book

Chairman Henry stated that the board received a public policy book at its August retreat. At that time it was decided that the board would review each chapter for revisions, as time was available at future board meetings. The review began at this meeting with Chapter I, Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Dr. Henry explained that the suggested revisions are mainly cleaning up language that relates to board policy that is no longer appropriate. Mrs. Findley suggested that in the future CBHE officers should serve a term of two years instead of one to ensure more continuity. No action was taken on Mrs. Findley's suggestion at this time.

Mrs. Carmichael moved that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approve the revisions to its public policy book as stated and shown in the attachment. Mr. Bass seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. (Attachment F)

Information Items

The board received the following information items:

Academic Program Actions
1999 Statewide Conference on Transfer and Articulation
Second State Aid/Technical Education Payment for Community Colleges, FY 1999
Biennial Report Regarding English Language Proficiency of Graduate Teaching Assistants
Preliminary Planning for the Advantage Missouri Program
Report of the Presidents' Conference on Telecommunications

Commissioner Stroup pointed out that the list of academic program actions contained in the board book has been revised due to a change in information submitted by Southwest Missouri State University.

Commissioner Stroup encouraged everyone to attend the 1999 Statewide Conference on Transfer and Articulation that will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia on February 1 and 2.

Adjournment There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Bass moved that the meeting adjourn. Mrs. Wood seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

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Ray Henry, Chairman

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John Bass, Secretary