RELEASE: August 17, 2006
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Higher education study says community colleges and public universities must “collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!”
RALEIGH – “If community colleges and public universities are to be effective in moving North Carolina’s economy forward,” said Dr. Parker Chesson, “the two systems will have to change and collaborate.”
Chesson appeared before the State Board of Community Colleges today, representing the Pappas Group, the consultant hired to conduct the study mandated by HB 1264. The study was to identify the role played by higher education in responding to the economic and workforce challenges facing North Carolina. Chesson presented the final portion of the report and highlighted recommendations in that study. He said the study contains several observations, including the fact that North Carolina and the rest of the nation face extreme economic global competition and the only way the two educational systems are going to be effective in overcoming that competition is if our higher education systems collaborate.
Board member Stuart Fountain reminded Chesson that a joint task force on UNC/NCCCS Partnerships was formed in 2004 and has led to several initiatives and legislation.
System President Martin Lancaster told Chesson that the senior staff of the two systems have already begun meeting together on a regular basis and that the Pappas report would be the focus of their next meeting.
Chesson told the Board that the study resulted in 68 different recommendations. Some are directed to each system individually and others will require the two systems to work together. The study specifically recommends that each system modify its mission to include an item regarding collaboration with the other system.
The report confirms that distance learning, specifically e-learning, has a tremendous impact on instruction. However, it shows that the two systems have differing views as to what constitutes distance learning.
“For the University,” said Chesson, “distance learning is any education that takes place away from the main campus, including on-site classes taught in person. That can lead to skewed enrollment numbers. Community colleges define distance learning as learning involving technology, primarily online classes.”
“Distance learning is so vital to instruction, especially for emerging industries and critical need programs like nursing,” said Chesson. The report recommends two studies that involve distance learning. One would look specifically at the technology infrastructure of the Community College System, which Chesson says the report found to be deficient. The other would be a joint study focusing on the current use of facilities and possible additional sites.
The report has 17 recommendations for community colleges that directly affect academics. It highlights shortages in three key areas: K-12 and community college instructors, nurses, and computing. The recommendations include program approval review, revising general education requirements for transfer programs, and requiring all nursing programs to become nationally accredited. The study also calls for finding ways to reduce the need for remediation at community colleges and universities and to close the achievement gap between majority and minority students.
Regional economic development partnerships are encouraged, as is UNC and NCCCS representation on their governing boards.
The study recommends the General Assembly change the funding formula for both systems by giving equal weight and attention to summer sessions. “Instruction is instruction no matter when or where it is taught,” said Chesson.
The study also recommends community colleges be removed from the deliberative rule-making process of the Administrative Procedures Act. The UNC System is already exempt.
Board member Chester Middlesworth expressed his concern that the study had no mention of the important role community colleges play in workforce training. “We train the plumbers and the electricians to go immediately to work,” he said. Chesson admitted the focus in that important area might be weak.
The report has already been presented to the Higher Education Oversight Committee.
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