I_HigherEd_2019A 09/17/2019 09:07:06 AM Committee Summary

Senator Story, chair, called the meeting to order.  Joe Garcia, Chancellor, Colorado Community College System (CCCS), introduced himself to the committee and gave an overview of CCCS and discussed the demographics that it serves.  He explained that there are 13 community colleges in the system, serving 48 percent of all undergraduate students of color. He also discussed ways in which CCCS is keeping tuition costs low, such as hiring more adjunct professors. He stated that about two-thirds of students graduate without student debt.  He said that CCCS also utilizes open educational resources in order to keep the costs of textbooks down.

Alana Mitchell, representing herself as a student and Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) scholar, discussed her experience at Pikes Peak Community College (Pikes Peak).  She told the committee her personal story of being a single mother while attending school, and explained that Pikes Peak offered her free daycare and work study opportunities while she worked to obtain a degree. She discussed her success as a student and what her degree has allowed her to accomplish.

Michael Macklin, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Partnerships, CCCS, introduced himself to the committee and discussed the importance of partnerships with businesses in the state that encourage students to earn credit while working.  He talked about how to increase apprenticeship programs in rural communities and the different types of apprenticeships accessible to CCCS students, including in nursing, information technology, and cybersecurity apprenticeship.  He discussed the first early childhood education apprenticeship in the state at Red Rocks Community College, as well as other programs at Front Range Community College and Arapahoe Community College.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.  Chancellor Garcia discussed how CCCS is working with rural communities to create programs to provide degrees programs and work opportunities for rural students.  He said that investments made outside of the classroom help just as much as investments in the classroom.  He discussed policy proposals, including the creation of an innovation fund to encourage growth in the career and technical education programs and an increase of investment in COSI.

Timothy Ullmann, Vice President of Community College Relations at Aims Community College (Aims), introduced himself and Holly Spritzer, a recent graduate of Aims.  Mr. Ullmann discussed the Aims Scholarship Initiative and other scholarships that provide scholarships and funding to Aims students. He discussed the transfer program that Aims has with the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and explained that with an associate's degree from Aims, students are automatically accepted into UNC.  He stated that Aims has not raised tuition in recent years, and mentioned the ways that Aims meets the needs of low-income students with housing and food insecurity.  He discussed the school's admissions data and graduation rates and talked about barriers faced by some students seeking a degree at Aims.  He discussed remedial education, including developmental courses, supplemental academic instruction, math labs, and similar programs to help prepare students for a postsecondary pathway.  Ms. Spritzer discussed her experience at Aims, and explained that she graduated debt-free due to scholarships available to her and the affordable nature of the school.

Mr. Ullmann discussed how local financing has allowed Aims to keep tuition rates steady.  He talked about the importance of allowing work study programs count towards graduation.  He answered questions about the open access program with UNC.

Dr. Matt Gianneschi, Chief Operating Officer, Colorado Mountain College (CMC), introduced himself to the committee.  Dr. Gianneschi's presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/colorado_mountain_college_sept_17.pdf.  Dr. Gianneschi discussed tuition rates at CMC and stated that CMC focuses on providing an affordable education to local residents, with the nonresident tuition being higher.  He discussed the school's enrollment and completion rates and stated that while overall enrollment has been declining, the number of degrees awarded have increased.  He discussed several trends at CMC, including the increasing participation in concurrent enrollment programs, which CMC offers for free.  He further discussed the school's concurrent enrollment program and mentioned that CMC has full-time concurrent enrollment instructors in high schools, making the program more accessible for students.  He stated that Latino local students are highest performing students at the school currently and discussed the school's total projected revenue.  Dr. Gianneschi discussed the school's current year budget, its high-demand program expansion, and the addition of a nursing program at the Steamboat Springs campus.  He talked about possible policy changes, and stated that new policies should focus on changes outside of instruction and invest in other areas such as technology, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

Dr. Gianneschi answered questions regarding the passage of Proposition CC, and how it would impact the revenue stream for CMC and higher education in general.  He discussed how a sudden decline in revenue can impact the school's budget and measures the school can take to address those declines, including cutting programs or benefits for employees.  He answered questions regarding the school's completion rates, concurrent enrollment programs, and COSI funding.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.  Dr. Cheryl D. Lovell, President, Adams State University, came to the table to discuss Adams State.  Her presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/adams_state_legislative_he_interim_committee_presentation.pdf.  She discussed the demographics of Adams State and the degrees the school offers.  She talked about measures the school has taken to contain costs for students and the average debt of Adams State graduates.  She discussed measures of student success and student support programs available at the school, including a first-year advising center, a one-stop financial aid service desk, a STEM center, and student counseling.  Dr. Lovell talked about student barriers to obtaining a degree and how the school addresses those challenges.  She discussed Colorado Gear Up, a federally-funded grant program placing full time advisors in schools across the state in order to prepare students for a postsecondary pathway.  She stated that Gear Up is no longer working with schools in the San Luis Valley, which has been detrimental to students in the area.  She discussed COSI and talked about how it is difficult for areas in the San Luis Valley to match the funds, as required by the program.  She discussed the impact that further budget cuts would have on the school and the struggles the school is facing retaining faculty.  She discussed the school's statutory mission, and stated that future policy ideas should emphasize each university's unique mission as it is set out in statute.

Dr. Tom Stritikus, President of Fort Lewis College, introduced himself to the committee.  His presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/fort_lewis_he-interim-committee_preso-final.pdf.  Dr. Stritikus discussed the demographics of the students that Fort Lewis serves and the school's grant portfolio.  He stated that affordability and access are high priorities, discussed the school's total cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, and programs that provide social, academic, and cultural support to students.  Dr. Stritikus talked about methods the school is using to reduce barriers to application completion and enrollment, including accepting unofficial test scores, simplifying supplemental academic instruction, reducing financial burdens by waiving application fees, and offering concurrent enrollment courses and scholarships.  He talked about a variety of programs available to Ft. Lewis students, such as internships and student employment.  He talked about how the school is currently addressing students' financial concerns through a Grub Hub food pantry and the availability of persistence grants to help with unexpected financial barriers.  He discussed programs available to students seeking mental health treatment, including free counseling sessions for every student regardless of the student's ability to pay.  Dr. Stritikus talked about financial challenges the school is facing, such as the cost of housing for faculty, the lack of economies of scale within certain programs, and struggles hiring and retaining staff.  Dr. Stritikus provided the committee with policy suggestions, including funding for innovation pilot pilot programs to encourage schools to collaborate with each other to find ways to make postsecondary pathways more accessible.

Brad Baca, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Western Colorado University (Western), introduced himself to the committee and gave a brief background of the school.  His presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/western_legislative_pres_sept_19.pdf.  Mr. Baca discussed how Western has sought to improve graduation rates and student success and the student loan default rates of Western students, which are half of the national average. Mr. Baca discussed the regional impact of the school, and discussed COSI agreements with local counties and concurrent enrollment partnerships with local school districts. He explained that the school is collaborating with other schools in the region, including Fort Lewis and Adams State, as well as schools on the front range.  He discussed the affordability of the school and mentioned that while the cost of tuition has increased, the overall cost of attendance has remained steady.

The panelists from Adams State, Fort Lewis, and Western answered questions from the committee, including what each school would do with additional revenue that may come from the passage of Proposition CC, the total cost of attendance, and how their school is trying to lower that cost. The panel discussed how a possible cut to higher education funding would impact their schools.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Dr. Andy Feinstein, President of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), introduced himself to the committee.  His presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/unc_pp_-_9-17-19.pdf.  He introduced Dr. Katrina Rodriguez, Vice President of Student Affairs for UNC.  Dr. Rodriguez discussed UNC's undergraduate demographics and the issues facing low-income students, including food insecurity and high rates of student debt.  She talked about the affordability of obtaining a degree at UNC and the early struggles for under-prepared students.  Dr. Feinstein continued the presentation and discussed various programs, including teacher preparation and education, nursing and health sciences, and performing and visual arts.  He discussed the rural education center for education students, and the school's research programs, which include a cancer rehabilitation institute in addition to other programs.  Dr. Rodriguez discussed examples of student success at UNC and increasing student retention and graduation rates. She talked about strategic enrollment and student success plans, which include establishing partnerships with community colleges in order to assist transferring students.  Dr. Rodriguez discussed the school's total cost of attendance and the return on investment for a degree from UNC.  Dr. Feinstein discussed other campus initiatives and cost containment procedures.  He discussed student debt and the school's current strategic planning exercise.

Dr. Rodriguez answered questions from the committee regarding public-private partnerships to address housing costs and food insecurity. Dr. Feinstein talked about programs to help faculty and staff put a downpayment on a home in the area.  The panel responded to questions regarding career readiness and how UNC is helping to address the teacher shortage.

Dr. Paul Johnson, President, Colorado School of Mines (Mines), introduced himself to the committee.  His presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/school_of_mines_sept_17_interim_committee_he_v3.pdf.  He discussed student outcomes and stated that increasing graduation rates and reducing the amount of time to obtain a degree have been a focus of the school.  He talked about the school's efforts to attract students, including outreach programs, the SUMMET program, and the Challenge program.  Cindy Sanchez, Dan Topham, and Evaleena Reyes, students at Mines, discussed their experiences at the school.  Dr. Johnson discussed academic support programs and student wellness, and other ways in which Mines prepares its students for success outside of the classroom.

Dr. Johnson answered questions from the committee regarding alternative degree program options for students.  Mr. Topham answered questions about financial and other barriers for students, and Ms. Reyes discussed the lack of female representation at the school as well as the benefits of Gear Up Colorado.

Dr. Angie Paccione, Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education, came to the table to discuss Gear Up Colorado.  Dr. Johnson answered questions from the committee regarding student services that assist with housing costs and food insecurity.  The students discussed their experiences with student service programs, and Dr. Johnson discussed how a cut to higher education funding would impact the school.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Mark Kennedy, President of the University of Colorado System (CU System), Todd Saliman, Chief Financial Officer, CU System, and Jonte Roberts, representing herself as a student at CU Denver, came to the table to discuss the CU System.  The presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/kennedy-leg-2019-09-17_final.pdf.  Mr. Kennedy discussed Colorado's future workforce needs and how different degrees can help fulfill those needs.  He talked about meeting the needs of non-traditional students through online courses and transitioning from providing degrees to offering credentials that can eventually lead to a degree.  He talked about the importance for students to be able to access up-to-date technology, the school's enrollment trends, and services available to students.  He discussed measures the school is taking to keep costs low for students, including investing in financial aid to keep tuition affordable.  Ms. Roberts discussed her experiences at CU Denver.

The panelists answered questions from the committee regarding partnerships with institutions across the state, community outreach, programs for nontraditional students, and how a cut to higher education funding would impact their school's budget.

Dr. Tony Frank, Chancellor, Colorado State University (CSU) and Dr. Rick Miranda, Provost and Executive Vice President, CSU, came to the table.  Dr. Frank discussed programming at CSU and the importance of providing access to a postsecondary degree to Colorado students.  He talked about increasing graduation rates, various degree programs the school offers, and the student debt and default rates of CSU students.  He further discussed efficiencies in the school's budget and how those efficiencies could be at risk with future cuts to higher education funding.

Dr. Frank answered questions from the committee about potential program cuts to students services if there is a decline in higher education funding.