Task Force Meeting Information

June 16, 2008

University of Wyoming Outreach Building, Casper, Wyoming

 

Task Force Members Present

Senator Henry H.R. “Hank” Coe, Co-Chairman

Representative Del McOmie, Co-Chairman

Senator Rae Lynn Job

Senator Michael Von Flatern

Representative Pete Jorgensen

Jerry Austin, Wamsutter, Representing Oil and Gas

Mary Behrens, Casper, Representing Health Care

Lynn Birleffi, Cheyenne, Representing Travel, Tourism & Recreation

Glenn Dalton, Rock Springs, Representing Community Colleges-Vocational Programs

Joan K. Evans, Cheyenne, Representing Workforce Services

Steve L. Johnson, Sheridan, Representing Mining

Bryan Pedersen, Cheyenne, Representing Public-At-Large

David R. Reetz, Powell, Representing Community Colleges-Academic Programs

 

Task Force Members Absent

Representative Lorraine Quarberg

Tom Kinnison, Sheridan, Representing Small Business Community

 

Other Legislators Present

Senator John Schiffer

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Dave Nelson, School Finance Manager, Brenda Long, School Finance Analyst

Matthew Sackett, Research Analyst, Josh Anderson, Staff Attorney

WCCC Staff: Dr. Jim Rose, Executive Director, Matt Petry, Director of Budget and Finance

 

Others Present at Meeting

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

Call To Order

Co-Chairman Coe called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.  The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic.  Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.

 

Consideration of Task Force Responses

The members of the Task Force introduced themselves.  Senator Coe suggested several discussion points including governance, funding and cap con and encouraged the Task Force members to ask questions of the various stakeholders.  Co-Chairman Coe suggested that the Task Force consider whether it was happy with the status quo and if not what it would change, should there be increased state or local control.  Co-Chairman Coe noted that with the schedule it may be appropriate to leave a discussion on funding to the July meeting.  On capital facilities he suggested that the Task Force consider to what extent buildings are part of the state’s interest.  Co-Chairman McOmie suggested that the Task Force discuss what it is that they are trying to accomplish and stated that Wyoming already has a great system.

 

Ms. Birleffi provided a handout to the taskforce of the stakeholder response for the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association (see Appendix 3 for a copy of the handout).  Senator Schiffer provided a handout to the Task force on the transfer of credits between the University and several colleges (see Appendix 4 for a copy of the handout.)

 

Dr. Buchanan of the University of Wyoming stated that the University is the only stakeholder in the state that is in the same business as the community colleges.  He noted that the University sees itself as partners in delivering higher education and that the two systems are complementary but distinct.  Dr. Buchanan noted that the University communicates regularly with the presidents of the colleges and that they are committed to a stronger relationship.

 

Dr. Buchanan noted that when students transfer to the University, they intend for the process to be as seamless and smooth as possible.  He noted that there is a common course numbering system that has been in place for more than a decade and that there is a transfer guide in every college that is used routinely in discussion with advisors.  He noted that if there is a problem the University will investigate and communicate with the student.  Dr. Buchanan stated that the goal is always to be able to move as easily as possible and that any student who completes an associates degree automatically gets junior status at the University.  He noted that the faculty at the University routinely meets with the community colleges to discuss course content

 

Dr. Buchanan provided a handout of a snapshot of the outreach efforts of the University (see Appendix 5 for a copy of the handout.)  He noted that over time the University plans to consolidate its presence on the Casper College campus and would likely sell the outreach facility and help with facility needs on the main campus so that students would not have to drive across town.  He noted that the University could also envision a similar presence in Cheyenne.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Buchanan noted that the courses are compared based on their syllabi and that there is strong evidence that the transfer students are doing well.  In response to a question, Dr. Buchannan stated that community college issues were addressed in the University's facilities master plan but noted that it is a difficult challenge and that what is Sheridan’s priority is not necessarily the same as the University’s interest.

 

In response to a question, Mr. Rollin Abernathy of the University of Wyoming stated that there are probably somewhere between five and ten problems with transfers per year.  Ms. Maggi Murdoch of the University of Wyoming noted that her office is in communication with the colleges about once a week.  In response to a question, Ms. Murdoch noted that with students who transfer from the University to one of the colleges, there are agreements between the colleges and the University that allow for the tracking of students among the institutions.

 

Dr. Buchanan stated that good universities are relevant and connected to their communities and that there is not a day where the University is not having such a conversation.  He noted that the University is involved in a strategic planning process and that the University is in its third five year planning process.  In response to a question, Dr. Buchanan noted that the University's colleges are required to be involved and that those colleges develop internal plans that dovetail with the University’s overall plan.

 

Member Birleffi suggested that the community colleges should coordinate with the k-12 systems and ensure that high school programs can be transferred to colleges out of their district.  Member Birleffi suggested that there needs to be a discussion of what types of curriculums are needed and that it may be appropriate to consider a proposal for an industry screening committee to determine if classes are what the industry needs and to develop or review new or expanded programs.

 

Co-chairman McOmie asked whether the community college commission be the focus point for industry to go to with their issues rather than a separate committee.  Member Birleffi agreed and thought it may be appropriate for the industry to provide technical advice, but it would be good to have a statewide focus.

 

Member Pedersen noted that it would be appropriate for a central organization to set priorities and that while it was important to have industry participation it is not up to the state to train for a specific company.  Senator Schiffer suggested that at this point, industries in the state may not know what they can get out of community colleges.

 

Member Austin noted industry representatives are currently involved in focus groups and that in the oil and gas production technology program the industry partnered with the college in order to be responsive to the latest technology and the latest needs.  Member Dalton noted that the colleges encourage industries to get involved and that there are many advisory councils that are involved in developing a syllabus.

 

Dr. Darrel Hammon of Laramie County Community College asked what is workforce training and suggested that everything they do at a community college is addressing workforce needs.  He noted that they look at colleges as comprehensive and consider what they are doing for the citizens of Wyoming.  Dr. Hammon noted that they have many programs that are involved with industry.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Hammon stated that it would be appropriate to give the Community College Commission appropriate authority to manage the system.  The Commission represents the state while the local boards focus on the home county and the state.  Dr. Hammon suggested that the local boards should have a stronger relationship among themselves.  He suggested a system that would allow the colleges to keep local control but that would give the commission appropriate power to coordinate a comprehensive community college system.

 

In response to a question, President Hammon stated that his college has twenty full programs on-line.  Dr. Tex Boggs of Western Wyoming Community College stated that his college has 90 on-line courses and that 50% of the students are out of district.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Hammon stated that if the Commission has appropriate authority, it would make the job of the local boards easier and that it would allow the system to have a statewide view.  Dr. Hammon suggested that if the Commission was given more appropriate authority the colleges would not see much change except for a different direction coming in and going out.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Boggs stated that the individual programs are approved by the Commission but not necessarily individual courses.  Dr. Boggs stated that all of online courses at his college are full.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Hammon stated that his college is seeing more and more connection with high school courses and that it is possible to have a program from another school.  Dr. Boggs stated that if a high school student takes English 1010 at any college, it will transfer to other schools when finished because it uses the same numbering.

 

Member Evans suggested it may be appropriate to identify statewide priorities for critical training and that perhaps not much may change on a local level.  Member Evans suggested that there is a need to use what the colleges have, but determine additional needs and how to meet those needs.  Member Reitz suggested that there could be an incentive program where a college could meet statewide needs and receive one time funding.  Member Berleffi asked what are the vehicles to determine the statewide priorities.  Member Evans stated that a sector strategy approach may be appropriate and asked if commission involvement is the key if the commission is the point of contact.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Jim Rose of the Community College Commission stated that the Washington state community college system is funded through the state general fund, not a dedicated fund.

 

Dr. Boggs described some of the current powers and duties of the Commission including setting tuition rates, coordinating data, approving new credit and degree programs, reviewing and modifying service areas and adopting rules and regulations.  Dr. Boggs noted that the Commission has a great deal of authority and that it may be appropriate to allow the Commission to proceed with its strategic planning work and develop a plan to meet the state’s needs.

 

Dr. Paul Prestwich of Northwest College stated that a centralized, one size fits all system would not work well with the idea that each college has unique needs and that while it would provide a direct link between government and governance of college, the system would lose local flexibility and community based focus.  Dr. Prestwich noted that the system should keep what is good and stated that if the colleges serve local needs, in general the state needs are being met as well.

 

Dr. Jo Anne McFarland of Central Wyoming College stated that the statewide strategic plan gives the opportunity to work together to determine statewide priority.  Dr. McFarland noted that the Commission has been given enhanced authority and suggested that it would be appropriate to wait and see how that authority is exercised.  She stated that the locally elected boards have a responsive approach to its constituents and that there is a balance between local and statewide interests.  Dr. McFarland noted that competitiveness may make them better and that it would be good to allow colleges to compete, but there is also a need to collaborate among the colleges either on their own or through the Commission.

 

Dr. Kevin Drumm of the Northern Wyoming Community College District stated that if the Commission was given additional authority, not much would change short run but over time the Commission could impose more and more regulations and the system would become more and more of a bureaucracy.  Dr. Drumm stated that this may slow down the response of the colleges and that state issues would be addressed but local issues would be subordinated.  Dr. Drumm suggested that state issues could be encouraged by providing additional funding but with restrictions on that money.

 

Dr. Walter Nolte of Casper College stated that each state is unique and that centralized states have answered the questions that Wyoming is dealing with right now but that there are pluses and minuses of being centralized.  Dr. Nolte suggested that it may be appropriate to borrow from states that are doing well such as North Carolina.  Dr. Nolte noted that while there are opportunities for more coordination, it was important to stay flexible.  In response to a question, Dr. Nolte stated that with a bigger central staff it may be possible to cut some positions that are duplicated among the colleges, but not as much as may be expected, as each college would still need to have a payroll person even though there might be a central payroll person as well.

 

Dr. Richard Holcomb of Eastern Wyoming College stated that there needs to be equity in funding and suggested that the Commission should be given full opportunity to exercise its statutory powers.  Dr. Holcomb noted that Wyoming has the best community college system.

 

Ms. Ann Chambers Noble of the Wyoming Community College Commission stated that the Commission is ready to work and is undertaking a review of the statewide strategic plan.  Ms. Noble stated that thirty stakeholders were asked to make contributions and that the Commission would hear testimony from all seven of the college presidents.  Ms. Nobel indicated that the Commission would hold a special meeting July 7,8 and 9 to work on the strategic plan.  In response to a question, Ms. Noble indicated that the Commission was not starting at ground zero and that there is already a plan but they are working on amending it.

 

In response to a question, Dr. Drumm suggested that the Workforce Development Board could be represented on the Community College Commission to help facilitate that discussion at every meeting.  Dr. Hammon noted that every CTE program has an advisory committee and that they select members who have authority to make decisions to meet twice a year.  Dr. Drumm indicated that his college has a board for each technical program, a small business advisory board and a broad workforce development board.  Dr. McFarland indicated that there is an advisory committee for every CTE program, a local economic development board, the Wyoming Business Council and the chamber of commerce.  She noted that when looking at new program they form a general advisory board.  In response to a question, Dr. McFarland noted that the makeup of the commission requires that 3 and no more than 4 members must be from a community college district and the remaining members must be from an outreach area.

 

In response to a question, Mr. Mark Kitchen of Northwest College stated that there has been great collaboration within districts but the colleges could perhaps do better across service area lines.  Dr. Boggs noted that the mission of community colleges is to have open admissions, low tuition, provide access to the people of Wyoming and for the students to have success which could be defined as graduation or transfer to the University within 6 years.

 

In response to a question, Ms. Noble noted that the new funding model is better because it is easier to understand and is based on performance.  Mr. Abernathy suggested that in preparing the strategic plan and funding model the Commission not use a consultant but instead use the Wyoming survey and analysis center.

 

Dr. Rose noted that in considering the funding model, there are significant issues and the Commission is sensitive to what has been said by policy makers and to the observations from the Legislative Service Office.  He noted that the Commission would welcome any additional input.

 

Task Force Discussion on Community College System

The Task force began with a consideration of Governance of community colleges.

 

Senator Von Flatern indicated that there needs to be a fair and equitable system and that currently there is hybrid control that is local with some central controls.  Senator Von Flatern noted that the state funds 60% on average of the community colleges.  He suggested that the options are that the system could go local control or there could be stronger central control.  He noted that there could be issues with making a stronger commission and that if you have competition between the colleges, the greater good of the state is not always served but the system would be more accountable to the legislature and the governor.

 

Member Johnson noted that while the Governor says the system is broken, today the Task Force heard that the system is doing a good job.

 

Representative Jorgensen indicated that it was appropriate to focus on what has not been provided and that the easiest option is to stay with the status quo.  Representative Jourgensen noted that it was important to be fair and that he is open to top down ideas and suggestions.

 

Member Behrens asked if the system were to move to a more centralized model, would the state be saving money?

 

Member Austin stated there is a disconnect and that it is important to explore how to close those gaps.  He noted that the question is how to get the best system for the state and that local control is important but there is a need for some representation of the state's interest without losing local flexibility.

 

Member Reetz stated he was interested in the issue that there are seven counties directly supporting the community colleges and sixteen counties who are not.  He asked how do the sixteen provide some input in governance.

 

Senator Job suggested that if the Task Force were to do something on governance, it should do it cautiously.  Senator Job noted that the Commission is working on a strategic plan and that making the Commission too strong may not be best for efficiency or quality.  Senator Job stated that it was important to think about what is the appropriate authority for the Commission.

 

Member Pedersen stated that there was a need to shift the perception of accountability and that an important function of the Commission would be as a centralized place for information gathering.

 

Member Evans noted that it was good to have decision making at local level but that the system as a whole was missing opportunities.  Member Evans stated that there is a need to figure out how to bring together the seven separate colleges and that there is a need to have somewhere that those interests can come together.

 

Member Dalton stated that the colleges are doing a good job.  Member Dalton stated that the colleges are at the top in a number of different areas and that it is important to keep local control.

 

Co-chair Coe noted that the Task Force would hear information on a preliminary strategic plan in July.  Representative Jorgensen indicated that the Commission cannot do the funding piece without the governance and that it would currently be difficult to carry out a funding model.

 

Co-chair McOmie requested the Wyoming Community College Commission report to the Task Force at the July meeting its recommendations on governance and necessary action to implement recommendations.  Further, following comments by Dr. Rose, co-chair McOmie requested the Commission report on recommended modifications to the funding model.

 

Senator Von Flatern noted that the strategic plan will not change governance and that without a change in statute there will not be a change in the powers of the commission.

 

Senator Schiffer noted that currently, the Commission is very weak.  Senator Schiffer noted that in terms of the needs of the state it is not clear that we are providing the best possible outcome and stated that Wyoming does not have the best system that it could have.  Senator Schiffer stated that it was not part of strategic plan but rather it is for the Legislature to define what the legislature expects.  Senator Schiffer suggested that the state's interest is success and not just warm bodies in seats and indicated that funding should be tied to performance.  Senator Schiffer noted that governance and funding go hand in hand and spoke in favor of increased leadership at the state level.

 

Member Berleffi noted that there is a workforce shortage in almost every area and that it may take a stronger central governance.  Member Berleffi noted that if there is a change to the Commission it was important to make sure that industry is involved.  Member Berleffi noted that small businesses and similar entities are not necessarily able to come forward to colleges individually.

 

Co-chair McOmie noted that this process is not a threat to the community colleges and that the Task Force is not saying that the colleges are not doing a good job but they are looking to find a way that the state can work with the colleges to do a better job.

 

Co-chair Coe noted that in funding, while the state is providing 60% the other 40% is coming from only 7 counties.  Co-chair Coe stated that it would be appropriate to begin summarizing some of the options that have been discussed and start taking things off the table.

 

Member Evans indicated that it would be useful to see what it would look like to have a stronger central commission.

 

Senator Job stated that it was important to see a clear relationship between what the Task Force may recommend and what it intends to accomplish.  Senator Job indicated that at this point there is not a clear idea of what the Task Force wants to accomplish and that is important to get to a consensus.

 

Co-Chair McOmie noted that the legislation that created the Task Force was pretty clear that it was looking for more unified oversight and accountability of the community colleges.

 

The Task Force set their next meeting for July 24 and 25 in Casper.

 

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Co-Chairman Coe adjourned the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Senator Coe, Co-Chairman                              Representative McOmie, Co-Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix		Appendix Topic		Appendix Description		Appendix Provider
1		Committee Sign-In Sheet		Lists meeting attendees		Legislative Service Office
2		Committee Meeting Agenda		Provides an outline of the topics the Committee planned to address at meeting		Legislative Service Office
3		Response Survey		Response from Lodging and Restaurant Association		Lynn Birleffi
4		Letter on transfer of credits		Letter on transfer of credits		Senator John Schiffer
5		Outreach Network		University of Wyoming Outreach Network		University of Wyoming