Tuesday February 4, 1919 and the Legislature of 2019. Ideas that come around again. New four year schools.

It's interesting to look back and realize how some ideas that are current have been around for quite awhile.

Recently there's been discussion of allowing the state's several community colleges to offer some Bachelors degrees.  The way I understand it, and I may understand it incorrectly, they're basically applied degrees, although frankly the legislation that would authorize it is a bit confusing, at least to me.  That bill is House Bill 263.

2019

STATE OF WYOMING

19LSO-0524

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0263

Postsecondary education and economic development.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Harshman and Simpson and Senator(s) Dockstader, Driskill and Pappas

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to postsecondary education and economic development; making legislative findings; authorizing community colleges to confer baccalaureate degrees; providing for community college commission approval of a limited number of baccalaureate degree programs as specified; conforming Hathaway scholarship statutes; specifying certain programs  to be reviewed for inclusion by higher education institutions; providing for review of baccalaureate programs provided by colleges; modifying duties of the economically needed diversity options for Wyoming executive council to include consideration of the need for postsecondary programs for continued economic development and diversification in Wyoming; requiring reports; authorizing additional uses of economically needed diversity options funds for required reviews; specifying date for approval of additional baccalaureate programs; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

(a)  The legislature finds that:

(i)  The availability of baccalaureate degree programs in Wyoming impacts Wyoming's ability to promote and achieve the goals of the legislative and executive branches' economic and education initiatives;

(ii)  There exists a need to increase the availability of baccalaureate degree programs in Wyoming to enable:

(A)  Increased educational opportunity, particularly for students who must remain close to home for reasons related to family, health or work while earning a college degree; and

(B)  Increased skill development, which will lead to economic expansion and diversification.

(iii)  Increasing the availability of baccalaureate degree programs in the state is compatible with the continued legislative support of the University of Wyoming.

Section 2.  W.S. 9‑12‑1402(a)(xii), 9‑12‑1404(a)(iii)(A) and (B), 21‑16‑1303(f)(iv), 21‑16‑1304(b), 21‑16‑1305(a)(iii), 21‑18‑102(a)(i), 21‑18‑202(b)(v), (d)(i) and (h)(ii) and 21‑18‑303(a)(xvi) are amended to read:

9‑12‑1402.  General powers and duties of the council; economic diversification policy and strategy; authority of governor.

(a)  The ENDOW executive council shall:

(xii)  In consultation with the University of Wyoming, community colleges, the department of education, department of workforce services and Wyoming business council:,

(A)  Review existing career technical education programs and develop recommendations regarding opportunities to better coordinate existing public and private programs, and develop or acquire existing career technical education facilities to further technical education opportunities in the state;. The

(B)  Review existing, proposed and potential baccalaureate degree programs which may be provided at a Wyoming community college to determine the need for the program in light of the state's economic development and diversification efforts and recommend specificbaccalaureate degree programs for consideration by the colleges and Wyoming community college commission;

(C)  Make recommendations regarding its review under this paragraph.  Recommendations shall be included in the council's twenty (20) year economic diversification strategy and may be included in the council's four (4) year action plan as determined appropriate by the council.

9‑12‑1404.  Economic diversification account created; authorized expenditures.

(a)  There is created an economic diversification account. All monies in the account are continuously appropriated to the office of the governor to be used for the purposes of this article and as otherwise specified by law, including per diem, mileage and other administrative expenses of the ENDOW executive council. Notwithstanding W.S. 9‑2‑1008 and 9‑4‑207, funds in the account or subaccounts of the account shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal period. Interest earned on funds in the account shall be deposited to the account or appropriate subaccount.  Within the account shall be subaccounts.  For accounting and investment purposes only all subaccounts shall be treated as separate accounts.  The subaccounts are as follows:

(iii)  The Wyoming workforce development‑priority economic sector partnership subaccount.  Funds within this subaccount may be expended:

(A)  As approved by director of the department of workforce services for administrative costs incurred by the department of workforce services associated with administration of the Wyoming workforce development‑priority economic sector partnership program under W.S. 9‑2‑2609 through 9‑2‑2611; and

(B)  As approved by the governor or his designee:

(I)  To provide funding for agreements entered into pursuant to W.S. 9‑2‑2609 through 9‑2‑2611; and

(II)  To fund expenses associated with the council's study under W.S. 9‑12‑1402(a)(xii) of education programs and, as specified by law, to fund other studies regarding the potential expansion of educational programs to support economic development and diversification efforts.

21‑16‑1303.  Hathaway scholarship program; eligibility requirements.

(f)  Students meeting the requirements of this subsection shall not be subject to the six (6) academic year limitation on scholarships under this article, the satisfactory academic progress requirements of W.S. 21‑16‑1304(c)(i) and 21‑16‑1305(b)(i) or the continuous enrollment requirements of W.S. 21‑16‑1304(c)(ii) and 21‑16‑1305(b)(ii), but shall be subject to the following:

(iv)  Within the earlier of eight (8) years of initial Hathaway scholarship eligibility or four (4) years of last attending an eligible institution while receiving a Hathaway scholarship, have enrolled at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college to complete a baccalaureate of applied science degree and have applied for reinstatement of the student's Hathaway scholarship;

21‑16‑1304.  Hathaway opportunity, performance and honor scholarships.

(b)  Scholarships under this section shall be for a maximum of the equivalent of eight (8) full‑time semesters.  Except as specified under subsection (g) of this section, A scholarship under this section shall be available for attendance at a Wyoming community college for not more than a maximum of the equivalent of four (4) full‑time semesters,. except as follows:

(i)  As specified under subsection (g) of this section; or

(ii)  A scholarship for a student enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Wyoming community college shall be for a maximum of the equivalent of eight (8) full‑time semesters.

21‑16‑1305.  Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarships.

(a)  Any student who meets the criteria under W.S. 21‑16‑1303 is eligible to receive a Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarship to pursue a certificate or degree as follows:

(iii)  A student who receives a scholarship under paragraph (i) of this subsection and who earns a certificate from the community college with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 may extend the provisional opportunity scholarship to pursue either a certificate or a degree at a Wyoming community college or if the student earns a degree from the community college with a minimum GPA of 2.25, may extend the scholarship to pursue a degree at the University of Wyoming if the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 and otherwise remains eligible for a scholarship under this article. A student who receives a scholarship under paragraph (i) of this subsection, is enrolled in a community college baccalaureate program and has received a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 after four (4) full‑time semesters may extend the provisional opportunity scholarship for an additional four (4) full‑time semesters to complete the baccalaureate degree if the student maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 and otherwise remains eligible for a scholarship under this article. The scholarship under this paragraph shall be for the same amounts and subject to the same limitations as provided for scholarships under paragraph (a)(i) of this section, except that the student may continue a baccalaureate program or pursue either an additional certificate or a degree and the student may use this scholarship while attending a Wyoming community college or the University of Wyoming.

21‑18‑102.  Definitions.

(a)  As used in this act:

(i)  "Academic program" means those programs approved by the commission which provide credits:

(A)  Resulting in a two (2) year associate degree;

(B)  Resulting in a baccalaureate degree; or

(C)  Which may be transferred to an accredited four (4) year college or university.;

21‑18‑202.  Powers and duties of the commission.

(b)  The commission shall perform the following coordination functions. In performing these coordination functions all affected colleges and the commission shall be involved:

(v)  Coordinate the provision by means of electronic internet or similar proprietary or common carrier electronic system technology, by a community college or several community colleges, the general education courses  necessary for completion of an educational program in the field of nursing at a community college, including a baccalaureate degree if offered, or a baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of Wyoming;

(d)  The commission shall perform the following approval functions:

(i)  Approve all new programs, including baccalaureate degree programs, qualifying for state funding pursuant to the statewide community college strategic plan developed under subsection (h) of this section;

(h)  The commission shall prior to the beginning of each biennial budget period, review, update and modify the statewide college system strategic plan.  The plan shall clearly prescribe the components of the educational program and attach program components to statewide system priorities.  This plan shall serve as the basis for state operational andcapital construction budget requests and funding of the statewide college system for the applicable biennial budget period.  In developing, reviewing and updating the strategic plan, the commission shall:

(ii)  Include mechanisms within the planning process which adhere to the state's interests in establishing a statewide college system identified as assuring statewide access to:

(A)  Academic programs, including one (1) baccalaureate degree program at each community college, and an additional baccalaureate degree program at each community college if a community college demonstrates sufficient community need;

(B)  Career‑technical education and training programs;,

(C)  Dual and concurrent enrollment programs;, and

(D)  Remedial and continuing education programs responding to needs of students, employers and the state workforce, including program access through outreach or coordinated electronic system technology.;

21‑18‑303.  District board generally; powers; board approved additional mill levy.

(a)  The community college district board may:

(xvi)  Confer degrees, including baccalaureate degrees in programs approved by the commission, and certificates and grant diplomas as are usual for community colleges and authorized under its accreditation by the regional accrediting agency;

Section 3.  

(a)  In consultation with the University of Wyoming and community colleges, the community college commission shall evaluate the funding, other implementation needs and appropriate timeframe to:

(i)  Establish health care provider programs at community colleges.  The commission may consider potential undergraduate and postgraduate health care provider programs under this paragraph;

(ii)  Re‑establish a career and technical training program by the University of Wyoming as an outreach program at Casper, Wyoming;

(iii)  Establish a baccalaureate program in education at Central Wyoming community college.

(b)  The community college commission shall consult with the department of workforce services, the department of education, the economically needed diversity options for Wyoming executive council and Wyoming business council regarding the effect the programs specified in subsection (a) of this section could have on economic development and diversification efforts in Wyoming. The community college commission shall report the results of the study under subsection (a) of this section, including any responses by the entities specified in this subsection and recommendations of the community college commission, to the joint education interim committee not later than September 1, 2019.  The joint education interim committee shall sponsor legislation implementing recommendations of the commission as it determines appropriate for consideration in the 2020 budget session of the legislature.

(c)  The governor or his designee may authorize funding from theWyoming workforce development‑priority economic sector partnership subaccount as provided by W.S. 9‑12‑1404(a)(iii)(B)(II) for purposes of the commission's study under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

(d)  The community college commission shall not approve a baccalaureate program pursuant to this act prior to April 1, 2020.  The community college commission shall review each baccalaureate program offered by a Wyoming community college and report on the costs and benefits of each program to the legislature by June 1, 2025. In its report, the community college commission shall recommend whether community colleges should continue to have the ability to offer baccalaureate degrees and report on any recommended changes to this act.

Section 4.  This act is effective July 1, 2019.

(END)

A person can read the legislation set out above and realize it does more than just that, but the basic gist, I think, is to allow for four year degrees that have a technical aspect.  I wouldn't call these trade degrees, as they are not, but they're degrees that differ in that fashion from classic BS and BA degrees in that they have a technical aspect to them.  Not surprisingly, the University of Wyoming is opposed to this.

The bill will be taken up for consideration today.

I've written on this earlier, but there was  move back in the 1970s to allow at least Casper College to become a full university.  This was a hugely popular idea here locally but adamantly opposed by UW.  UW responded, after the move failed, by coordinating with the community colleges so that some UW programs could be offered at the community colleges, so there's some ability to get some four year degrees here now.  Indeed, while it hasn't drawn much attention, Casper College has an arrangement with at least one other four year university to offer some of its degrees, up to the masters level, locally.

Given that, you'd think there'd be more support for this now than there was in the 1970s, but my suspicion is the bill will fail.

As a graduate of Casper College and the University of Wyoming, I can see both sides of the argument actually.  I've never developed the huge romantic attachment to UW that some people, including some people who never went there, have, but my undergraduate level was taken to the next level up after I left Casper College and went there and its likely a good thing, for me, that a four year program wasn't available at CC back then.  Indeed, I've heard some people claim that leaving your home and going to a distant university is part of the necessary part of an education, although that would leave some open questions about people who simply go to work after high school (a diminishing few) or those who go to work after finishing an associates degree.  I can see both sides of the argument, but I do think UW has one.

Anyhow, I was aware of the move in the 1970s, and the bill in the 2019 legislature, but I wasn't aware of such a bill in the 1919 one. There was.

UW is a land grant college so it's always had a close relationship to agriculture, so its all the more surprising to see that back in 1919 a Goshen County legislator wanted the Agriculture out of UW and vest it somewhere else.  I'm sure UW was not thrilled.  I don't know what motivated the move at the time, but Laramie is in Albany County which features a high plains environment that isn't suited for farming. That may have been on the mind of a legislator from Goshen County, which is.