| 20 | | - | (b) Within the limits of authorized expenditures, the policies of the state system of higher education shall be consistent with the following goals: (1) To ensure that no qualified person be denied the opportunity for higher education on the basis of age, sex, ethnic background or social, physical or economic condition, (2) to protect academic freedom, (3) to provide opportunities for education and training related to the economic, cultural and educational development of the state, (4) to assure the fullest possible use of available resources in public and private institutions of higher education, (5) to maintain standards of quality ensuring a position of national leadership for state institutions of higher education, (6) to [apply the resources of higher education to the] respond to the needs and problems of society, [and] (7) to foster flexibility in the policies and institutions of higher education to enable the system to respond to changes in the economy, society, technology and student interests, (8) to promote the economic development of the state in order to help business and industry sustain strong economic growth, (9) to ensure affordability of higher education and efficient use of resources, and (10) to join with the elementary and secondary schools to improve teaching and learning at all levels. Said board shall review recent studies of the need for higher education services, with special attention to those completed pursuant to legislative action, and to meet such needs shall initiate additional programs or services through one or more of the constituent units. |
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| 32 | + | (2) Address the challenges related to increasing the number of young people in the state earning a bachelor degree, increasing the number of young people entering the state's workforce and the disparity in the achievement gap between minority students and the general student population; |
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| 33 | + | |
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| 34 | + | (3) Develop and implement a strategic master plan pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and include benchmarks for achieving those goals by 2015 and 2020; |
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| 35 | + | |
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| 36 | + | (4) Examine funding policies for higher education, including coordination of appropriations, tuition and financial aid and seek ways to maximize funding through federal and private grants; |
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| 37 | + | |
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| 38 | + | (5) Recommend ways in which a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, in a manner consistent with such unit's mission, should expand such unit's role in advancing the state's economic growth; and |
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| 39 | + | |
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| 40 | + | (6) Not later than January 1, 2013, submit a biennial report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress made toward achieving the benchmarks established in the strategic master plan. |
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| 41 | + | |
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| 42 | + | (b) In developing the strategic master plan, the Board of Governors shall review the plans pursuant to sections 10a-6 and 10a-11 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and the report titled "New England 2020: A Forecast of Educational Attainment and its Implications for the Workforce of New England States" prepared by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. In addition, the board may consider the following: (1) Establishing incentives for institutional performance and productivity; (2) increasing financial aid incentive programs, especially in workforce shortage areas and for minority students; (3) working with the Department of Education to implement mandatory college preparatory curricula in high schools and aligning such curricula with curricula in institutions of higher education; (4) seeking partnerships with the business community and public institutions of higher education to serve the needs of workforce retraining that may include bridge programs in which businesses work directly with higher education institutions to move students into identified workforce shortage areas; (5) establishing collaborative partnerships between public high schools and institutions of higher education; (6) implementing programs in high school to assist high school students seeking a college track or alternative pathways for post-secondary education, such as vocational and technical opportunities; (7) developing policies to promote and measure retention and graduation rates of students; (8) addressing the educational needs of minority students and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and immigrants, in order to increase enrollment and retention in institutions of higher education; and (9) addressing the affordability of tuition at institutions of higher education and the issue of increased student indebtedness. |
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| 43 | + | |
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| 44 | + | (c) Not later than January 1, 2012, the Board of Governors shall submit a progress report concerning its development of the strategic master plan to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education, employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Not later than January 1, 2013, the board shall submit the strategic master plan, including specific goals and benchmarks for the years ending 2015 and 2020, together with any recommendations for appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and said joint standing committees, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. |
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| 45 | + | |
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| 46 | + | (d) On or before January 1, 2014, and biennially thereafter, the Board of Governors shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education, employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the implementation of the plan and progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the plan. |
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| 47 | + | |
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| 48 | + | Sec. 2. Section 10a-6 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): |
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| 49 | + | |
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| 50 | + | (a) The Board of Governors of Higher Education shall: (1) Establish state-wide policy and guidelines for Connecticut's system of public higher education; (2) develop a strategic master plan for higher education and postsecondary education, consistent with the goals in subsection (b) of this section and in accordance with section 1 of this act; (3) establish state-wide tuition and student fee policies; (4) establish state-wide student financial aid policies; (5) monitor and evaluate institutional effectiveness and viability in accordance with criteria established by the board; (6) merge or close institutions in accordance with criteria established by the board provided (A) such recommended merger or closing shall require a two-thirds vote of the board, and (B) notice of such recommended merger or closing shall be sent to the committee having cognizance over matters relating to education and to the General Assembly; (7) review and approve mission statements for the constituent units and role and scope statements for the individual institutions and branches thereof; (8) review and approve any recommendations for the establishment of new academic programs submitted to the board by the constituent unit boards of trustees, and, in consultation with the affected constituent units, provide for the initiation, consolidation or termination of academic programs. The Board of Governors of Higher Education shall notify the board of trustees affected by the proposed termination of an academic program. Within ninety days of receipt of such notice, said trustees shall accept or reject the termination proposal and shall notify the Board of Governors of Higher Education of its action. If the termination proposal is rejected by the trustees, the Board of Governors of Higher Education may override the rejection by a two-thirds vote; (9) develop criteria to ensure acceptable quality in programs and institutions and enforce standards through licensing and accreditation; (10) prepare and present to the Governor and General Assembly, in accordance with section 10a-8, consolidated operating and capital expenditure budgets for public higher education developed in accordance with the provisions of said section 10a-8 and section 10a-9; (11) review and make recommendations on plans received from the constituent unit boards of trustees for the continuing development and maximum utilization of the state's public higher education resources; (12) appoint advisory committees to assist in defining and suggesting solutions for the problems and needs of higher education; (13) establish an advisory council for higher education with representatives from public and private institutions to study methods and proposals for coordinating efforts of all such institutions in providing a stimulating and enriched educational environment for the citizens of the state, including measures to improve educational opportunities through alternative and nontraditional approaches such as external degrees and credit by examination; (14) coordinate programs and services throughout public higher education and between public and independent institutions, including procedures to evaluate the impact on independent institutions of higher education of proposals affecting public institutions of higher education; (15) make or enter into contracts, leases or other agreements in connection with its responsibilities under this part, provided all acquisitions of real estate by lease or otherwise shall be subject to the provisions of section 4b-23; (16) be responsible for the care and maintenance of permanent records of institutions of higher education dissolved after September 1, 1969; (17) prepare and present to the Governor and General Assembly legislative proposals affecting public higher education, including proposals which utilize programs and facilities of independent institutions of higher education; (18) develop and maintain a central higher education information system and establish definitions and data requirements for the state system of higher education; and (19) undertake such studies and other activities as will best serve the higher educational interests of the state. |
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| 51 | + | |
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| 52 | + | (b) Within the limits of authorized expenditures, the policies of the state system of higher education shall be consistent with the following goals: (1) To ensure that no qualified person be denied the opportunity for higher education on the basis of age, sex, ethnic background or social, physical or economic condition, (2) to protect academic freedom, (3) to provide opportunities for education and training related to the economic, cultural and educational development of the state, (4) to assure the fullest possible use of available resources in public and private institutions of higher education, (5) to maintain standards of quality ensuring a position of national leadership for state institutions of higher education, (6) to [apply the resources of higher education to the] respond to the needs and problems of society, [and] (7) to foster flexibility in the policies and institutions of higher education to enable the system to respond to changes in the economy, society, technology and student interests, (8) to promote the economic development of the state in order to help business and industry sustain strong economic growth, (9) to ensure affordability of higher education and efficient use of resources, and (10) to join with elementary and secondary schools to improve teaching and learning at all levels. Said board shall review recent studies of the need for higher education services, with special attention to those completed pursuant to legislative action, and to meet such needs shall initiate additional programs or services through one or more of the constituent units. |
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| 26 | | - | Sec. 2. Section 10a-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): |
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| 27 | | - | |
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| 28 | | - | (a) There is established a [Blue Ribbon Commission] Planning Commission for Higher Education to develop and [implement] ensure the implementation of a strategic master plan for higher education in Connecticut. |
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| 29 | | - | |
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| 30 | | - | (1) The commission shall consist of the following voting members: (A) Two members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall have experience as former administrators or faculty members in independent institutions of higher education in this state; (B) two members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of a regional community-technical college and one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of The University of Connecticut; (C) two members appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of a state university in the Connecticut State University System and one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of Charter Oak State College; (D) two members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall have experience in the field of arts and culture and one of whom shall have experience in the field of health care; (E) two members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall have knowledge and expertise in science and technology; (F) two members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall represent state-wide business organizations; and (G) four members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall represent a nonprofit education foundation, one of whom shall have experience in university research and its commercial application and one of whom shall have experience in the field of education from prekindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive. The commission membership shall reflect the state's geographic, racial and ethnic diversity. |
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| 31 | | - | |
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| 32 | | - | (2) The following persons shall serve as ex-officio nonvoting members on the commission: (A) The Commissioners of Higher Education, Education and Economic and Community Development, and the Labor Commissioner, or their designees; (B) the chairpersons of the boards of trustees and the chief executive officers of each constituent unit of the state system of higher education, or their designees; (C) the chairperson of the board and president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, or their designees; (D) the director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, or the director's designee; (E) the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement; and (F) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee. |
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| 33 | | - | |
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| 34 | | - | (3) The commission shall elect a chairperson at its first meeting. Any vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. The term of each appointed member of the commission shall be three years from the date of appointment. The commission members shall serve without compensation except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The commission may seek the advice and participation of any person, organization or state or federal agency it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The commission may, within available appropriations, retain consultants to assist in carrying out its duties. The commission may receive funds from any public or private sources to carry out its activities. |
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| 35 | | - | |
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| 36 | | - | (b) [The] In accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6, as amended by this act, the commission shall develop and ensure the implementation of a strategic master plan that: [promotes the following overall goals for higher education in this state: (1) Ensure equal access and opportunity to post-secondary education for all state residents, (2) promote student achievement, including student performance, retention and graduation, (3) promote economic competitiveness in the state, (4) improve access to higher education for minorities and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and immigrants, and (5) ensure the state's obligation to provide adequate funding for higher education. |
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| 37 | | - | |
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| 38 | | - | (c) The commission shall:] |
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| 39 | | - | |
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| 40 | | - | (1) [Examine] Examines the impact of [demographics and] demographic, workforce and education trends on higher education in the state; |
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| 41 | | - | |
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| 42 | | - | [(2) Address the challenges related to increasing the number of young people in the state earning a bachelor's degree, increasing the number of young people entering the state's workforce and the disparity in the achievement gap between minority students and the general student population; |
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| 43 | | - | |
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| 44 | | - | (3) Develop and implement a strategic master plan for higher education that identifies specific short-term and long-term goals for the state that reflect the unique missions of each constituent unit of the state system of higher education and each independent institution of higher education in the state and includes benchmarks for achieving those goals by 2010, 2015 and 2020;] |
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| 45 | | - | |
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| 46 | | - | (2) (A) Establishes numerical goals for 2015 and 2020 to increase the number of people earning a bachelor degree, associate degree or certificate, increases the number of people successfully completing coursework at the community college level and the number of people entering the state's workforce and eliminates the postsecondary achievement gap between minority students and the general student population, and (B) includes specific strategies for meeting such goals, as well as strategies for meeting the goals pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6, as amended by this act; |
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| 47 | | - | |
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| 48 | | - | [(4) Examine funding policies for higher education including] (3) Examines and recommends changes to funding policies, practices and accountability in order to (A) align policies and practices with the goals set forth in subsection (b) of section 10a-6, as amended by this act, including the development of a finance model for the allocation of state appropriations to the constituent units that includes both a base amount of funding and the use of performance-based incentive funding for at least a portion of such allocation; (B) determine how the constituent units shall annually report to the General Assembly and the public in a transparent and thorough manner regarding each constituent unit's expenditures, staffing and state support, including the state appropriation, personnel expenses, personnel fringe benefits, capital improvement bonds and financial aid to students; (C) improve coordination of appropriation, tuition and financial aid and seek ways to maximize funding through federal and private grants; and |
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| 49 | | - | |
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| 50 | | - | [(5) Recommend] (4) Recommends ways in which each constituent unit of the state system of higher education and independent institution of higher education in the state can, in a manner consistent with such institution's mission, expand such institution's role in advancing the state's economic growth. [; and] |
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| 51 | | - | |
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| 52 | | - | [(6) Submit a biennium report prepared by the Department of Higher Education to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress made toward achieving the benchmarks established in the strategic plan.] |
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| 53 | | - | |
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| 54 | | - | (d) In developing the strategic master plan, the commission shall review the plans pursuant to sections 10a-6, as amended by this act, and 10a-11. [and the report titled "New England 2020: A Forecast of Educational Attainment and its Implications for the Workforce of New England States" prepared by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.] In addition, the commission may consider the following: (1) Establishing incentives for institutional performance and productivity; (2) increasing financial aid incentive programs, especially in workforce shortage areas and for minority students; (3) implementing mandatory college preparatory curricula in high schools and aligning such curricula with curricula in institutions of higher education; (4) seeking partnerships with the business community and public institutions of higher education to serve the needs of workforce retraining that may include bridge programs in which businesses work directly with higher education institutions to move students into identified workforce shortage areas; (5) establishing collaborative partnerships between public high schools and institutions of higher education; (6) implementing programs in high school to assist high school students seeking a college track or alternative pathways for post-secondary education, such as vocational and technical opportunities; (7) developing policies to promote and measure retention and graduation rates of students, including graduation rates for students who have transferred among two or more constituent units or public institutions of higher education; (8) addressing the educational needs of minority students and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and immigrants, in order to increase enrollment and retention in institutions of higher education; and (9) addressing the affordability of tuition at institutions of higher education and the issue of increased student indebtedness. |
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| 55 | | - | |
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| 56 | | - | (e) Not later than [October 1, 2008] January 1, 2012, the commission shall submit a preliminary report on the development of the strategic master plan and, not later than January 1, 2013, the commission shall submit the strategic master plan, including specific goals and benchmarks for the years ending [2010,] 2015 and 2020, together with any recommendations for appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. |
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| 57 | | - | |
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| 58 | | - | (f) On or before January 1, [2009] 2014, and biennially thereafter, [until January 1, 2021,] the commission shall submit a report, prepared by the Department of Higher Education, to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with section 11-4a, on the implementation of the plan and progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the plan. The commission may periodically suggest changes to the goals as necessary. |
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| 59 | | - | |
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| 60 | | - | [(g) The commission shall terminate on January 1, 2021.] |
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| 61 | | - | |
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