A Senate subcommittee’s version of a bill that would move the state toward an independently governed community college system received the endorsement of the state Higher Education Policy Commission Friday (Feb. 27).

Recognizing that no bill is perfect, we believe this measure as amended by the Senate subcommittee addresses our major concerns, particularly in the area of governancesaid HEPC Chairman J. Thomas Jones.We’ve worked as hard as we can work it (the bill).

As revised by the subcommittee Wednesday (Feb. 25), the bill (SB488) would provide a slower transition for the six community colleges that are components of four-year colleges to become independently administered two-year schools. Also, as currently drafted, West Virginia University-Parkersburg and West Virginia University Institute of Technology would remain regional campuses of WVU , said Dave Miller, WVU legislative liason.

Unlike the original House proposal, where the Community and Technical College Council would become a separate governing board with authority equal to HEPC , the current draft keeps the council under the policy commission, but gives it additional power to oversee two-year programs.

When it comes to community colleges, we need to move forward and do better,Jones said.

SB488 has since been amended by the Senate Education committee to allow West Virginia State, Fairmont State, Concord and Shepherd colleges to become universities. HEPC ’s endorsement did not include that provision. Commissioners directed Chancellor J. Michael Mullen to convey to the legislative leadership that HEPC took no role in having the university status amendment added to the bill.

In other action, the commission:

• approved updated compact reports for four-year institutions. HEPC staff assessment of WVU ’s compact found that the University meets nearly all expectations of the compact elements. Those elements include increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates; an increase in degree production, licensure pass rates and external funding; and increasing percentages of faculty with terminal degrees and students completing development courses. One challenge for WVU , cited in the staff report, would be to raise the baccalaureate graduation rate to 60 percent. It currently stands at 56 percent.

• approved the facilities master plan update at WVU Parkersburg. Among projects identified in the five-year capital development plan include addressing structural problems with the main classroom building, upgrading the mechanical systems in the main and tech wing buildings, and renovation of the science labs

• approved guidelines for establishing community and technical college faculty instructional loads

• approved a resolution charging the HEPC staff to begin a review of the D and F repeat provisions of Series 22 (Grade Point Average for Associate and Baccalaureate Degrees) and the feasibility of revising the rule.

• accepted the consolidated FY 2003 audit and purchasing performance audit reports

• approved birth through pre-K and pre-school special needs teacher preparation certification at Marshall University

• approved a resolution withdrawing preliminary authorization of the University of Fairfax to operation in West Virginia. The resolution also charges HEPC staff to begin the process of revising the policy regarding authorization of degree granting institutions.

• approved a resolution reaffirming HEPC ’s commitment to a continuing partnership with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the state Board of Education.

The next regularly scheduled HEPC meeting will be in April.