HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78

(By Delegates Mezzatesta, Anderson, Manuel, Spencer and Hall)

"Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of the governance of all public institutions of higher education in West Virginia; and of the role, responsibilities, governance structure and funding models for public community and technical colleges in West Virginia."
Whereas, the distribution of increased funding pursuant Senate Bill 547 has demonstrated that conflicts between the two higher education governing boards can become part of the legislative process; and
Whereas, the apparent inability to resolve concerns with the community college system of West Virginia may be made more difficult as a result of having to work with two governing boards to resolve the concerns; and
Whereas, It is the intent of the Legislature, as stated in Senate Bill No. 547, adopted at the regular legislative session, one thousand nine hundred ninety-five, that all West Virginians have access to post-secondary education opportunities which are relevant and affordable, which allow them to gain credits toward associate or higher level degrees, which provide quality technical education and skill training, and which are responsive to business, industry, labor and community needs; and
Whereas, The Legislature created community and technical college education for the purpose of establishing programs that are integrated with the public schools and four year colleges, that make maximum use of resources, that encourage students to pursue a life-time of learning, that serve as instruments of economic development, and that have the independence and flexibility to respond quickly to changing needs; and
Whereas, The Legislature finds that the need for restructuring and refocusing the institutional missions and programs to respond to change and the necessity of achieving the goals established for community and technical college education by the citizens of West Virginia are of critical importance; and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that it is in the best interest of West Virginia to have an effective and comprehensive delivery system for community and technical college education and, because of its importance to the economic and cultural well- being of state residents, a broad-based public policy discussion needs to occur in order to assist in determining appropriate governance, programmatic and funding models for community and technical college education; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to create a select committee consisting of the representatives of the Legislature and other interested parties who will undertake a study of the governance of the institutions of higher education in West Virginia; and of public community and technical colleges in West Virginia to determine their effectiveness and efficiency in meeting the objectives and goals of the state; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee shall commence its activities on or before the fifteenth day of May, one thousand nine hundred ninety-eight; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee shall consist of eighteen members selected as follows: Three members from the Senate, one to serve as cochair on behalf of the Senate, and three members from the House of Delegates, one to serve as cochair on behalf of the House, to be appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House respectively; the Secretary of Education and the Arts or a designee; the Chancellor of the University System of West Virginia or a designee; the Chancellor of the State College System or a designee; the Vice Chancellor of Community Colleges; one member of the State College System Board of Directors to be selected by the Directors; one member of the University System of West Virginia Board of Trustees to be selected by the Trustees; the State Superintendent of Schools or a designee; one member of the West Virginia State School Board to be selected by the Board; and four persons appointed by the Governor, one to be a representative of business, one to be a representative of labor and industry, one to be a representative of employment and training programs, and one to be a representative of vocational-technical-occupational education. Of these four appointed by the Governor, one shall be from each congressional district within the state and not more than two shall belong to the same political party. Appointments shall be made no later than the thirtieth day of April, one thousand nine hundred ninety-eight; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee shall report its findings to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability on or before the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the SenateHouse is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Chair of the State College System Board of Directors and to the Chair of the University of West Virginia Board of Trustees for distribution to members of their respective boards.



Adopted
Rejected