State and National Community College Leaders Convene in Lansing for a Summit on Baccalaureate Degrees in Community Colleges

Lansing, MI (November 2, 2010) – The Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) will host a Legislative Summit on November 4 in Lansing to highlight and discuss implications of legislation now before the Michigan Senate that would greatly expand educational and job opportunities for Michigan citizens.  The legislation, which has already passed the House, would permit Michigan’s community colleges, for the first time ever, to offer programs of study leading to four-year, bachelor of applied science degrees in concrete technology, maritime technology, culinary arts, and the bachelor of science in nursing degree.   At present, Michigan community colleges are restricted to two-year programs of study leading to associate’s degrees.  

The summit will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing and will feature national leaders in the movement to maximize community college infrastructure to increase access to affordable and quality baccalaureate education.  Also participating will be community college presidents, trustees and senior administrators who would be involved in the implementation of the legislation. 

Speakers at the summit will include Tim Nelson, president of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), Dr. Joy Pollard, director of nursing programs, Schoolcraft College, Beth Hagan, executive director of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, and Dr. Malcolm Grothe, South Seattle Community College.   

Two of the programs that would benefit from the legislation – maritime technology and concrete technology – are offered only by community colleges in Michigan and graduates do not have opportunities within Michigan to earn four-year degrees in those fields.  Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing are currently offered by Michigan universities.  However, they are out of reach for many candidates because of distance, job and family constraints and cost.  There is a strong demand in the health care industry for nurses with bachelor’s degrees.  Culinary arts programs are currently offered by a number of community colleges and some universities.  Community college students would benefit from the additional two years of study at their home colleges by acquiring the additional instruction in business and other areas that would greatly expand their earning potential beyond the kitchen. 

For many community college students, transferring to a four-year school is impeded by job and family constraints as well as cost.  “This proposed legislation will greatly expand the earning potential of community college students, improve the economic health of our state, and fill an unmet educational need,” said Michael Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.

The proposed four-year programs will give students, particularly older, part-time and working students, greater access to an education in high-demand applied sciences.  Many of these students would be unable to consider enrolling in a four year college otherwise. “Michigan has a world-class university system, but it is out of the reach of many people in our state,” said Hansen.  “For many people, a community college is their only alternative.  We want to give them the best preparation for a meaningful career that we can.  These four-year degree programs will allow us to respond to workforce shortages in specific regions, in specific occupations and industries.”

A package of bills sponsored by Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), HB 4837, and by Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), HB 5533, passed in the House on September 16.  They now await action in the Senate, most likely in the lame-duck session following the November election.  

Michigan would not be the first state to permit four-year degrees at community colleges.  Nineteen other states currently authorize community colleges to offer such degrees under certain circumstances:  Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.  Legislation is pending in a number of other states.

The community college baccalaureate concept has been researched and recommended by both state and national organizations.  The first public policy document in Michigan to advance the notion of the community colleges offering baccalaureates was the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth (Cherry Commission) released in December 2004 which said, “The Michigan legislature must pass enabling legislation that defines the criteria and process by which Michigan community colleges may offer applied baccalaureate degrees in response to unmet economic, employer, or community needs in their service regions.”

In October of 2007, the Legislature charged the Department for Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) to commission a study to identify communities or regions within Michigan with broad labor market needs that align with the concept and educational purposes of applied baccalaureate degrees.  The study, completed on April 1, 2008, recommended that Michigan implement applied baccalaureate degrees in its community colleges. 

In March 2008, the Institute for Higher Education Policy in Washington, D.C., with support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, concluded in their study, “Higher Education in Michigan: Overcoming Challenges to Expand Access,” that the baccalaureate authority for community colleges should be considered in Michigan in high-need fields.

More information on the Legislative Summit may be obtained from MCCA by calling 517-372-4350 or going to the MCCA website, www.mcca.org.

WHAT: Baccalaureate Degrees in Community Colleges Summit

WHO: Hosted by the Michigan Community College Association

WHERE: Radisson Hotel Lansing; 111 North Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI

WHEN: Thursday, November 4 from 8:30am-1:30pm

The Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) provides leadership and advocacy on issues affecting the 28 member community colleges.  Since 1914, community colleges have striven to provide affordable and quality higher education to Michigan residents. The community college mission is one of access and success to both traditional and nontraditional students. Furthermore, community colleges also play an integral role in the preparation and development of the state’s workforce.

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