House to push new "state college" system

The House, under Speaker designate Ray Sansom's direction, is working on legislation to create a "state college" system of bachelor's degree-only institutions. The Buzz hears community colleges, many of which already offer a limited number of four-year degrees in high demand areas like nursing,  would move into the system. Republican Joe Pickens is the likely sponsor.

No word yet on what Senate leaders think, but such a move would probably have the support of the state universities Chancellor and Board of Governors, who say the state needs to produce more bachelor's degree holders -- and that not every four-year university needs to be a research institution like UF or USF.

A consultant the Board hired last year recommended the creation of bachelor's only institutions. And it might be more necessary than ever, given the enrollment cutbacks happening in the existing 11 state universities.

Comments

I think there is a bill out there that would do something like that...

And they need to hire full-time professors instead of adjuncts who don't come prepared and aren't that interested in teaching!

[Brett L]

Co-opting community colleges isn't the best, or even the second best, solution. Doing this will inflate the cost/student/credit hour at the community colleges - which is where the "savings" are supposed to come from in that plan. Also, it takes the CCs' eyes off their mission, which is NOT to be a relief valve for the state university system's dysfunctions.

Oh yes, what a great solution. Creating more places where students are in classes that are well over 100 students per class, with professors not likely to have the required degrees. Community colleges offer open enrollment. Anyone check their average SAT scores lately? This is where we wil get our future teachers? How will this ever pass SACS muster?. Once again we seek to offer higher education on the cheap. What is it that Chancellor Reed used to say, "We're from Florida, we are cheap and proud of it".

as long as the plan keeps the ego's of all the big university presidents intact and they get to keep pulling in 300k plus in salary i'm sure it would be fine. Why don't we just acknowledge that this is WAY more about ego and pride than it is about education?

So would tuition be cheaper? I mean, since these BA-only colleges wouldn't be paying a football or basketball coach $1 million a year.

Look at the Pennsylvania system

would that make UF, FSU, and USF the three flagship universities and

UWF, UNF, FGCU, FIU, FAU, UCF, SPC as the bachelor only institutes, with some masters and one or two phd programs.

[Jim Johnson]

I cant name one good reason anyone needs to be on campus for an Associates diploma. Offer it on-line. Free up the space for upper level coursework.

Likewise, dump the poetry and navel gazing programs.

Jim Johnson,
What are you talking about? They are talking about 4-year degrees. I think this is a great idea. It has worked well in Texas and other states.

[Jim Johnson]

Pay attention.

If the freshman and sophomores (larval scholars)arent on campus there's a lot more room for the upper-level students. A lot of logistical problems are solved if the kiddies are home playing on the puter rather than using valuable parking spaces.

You are an arrogant fellow, aren't you?

[Joseph Walego]

There is no necessity to create a state college system. Florida Community Colleges already offer Bachelor Degrees. It would be far better to fund the Community College System adequately than to create a new, expensive alternative.