SLS 12RS-385 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 17
BY SENATOR DORSEY-COLOMB
POSTSECONDARY ED. Requests the Board of Regents and LCTCS to study the
feasibility of merging Capital Area Technical College and Baton Rouge Community
College.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Board of Regents and the Board of Supervisors of Community and2
Technical Colleges to study the feasibility of merging Capital Area Technical3
College and Baton Rouge Community College in order to more adequately address4
the educational needs of students and the economic and workforce development5
needs of the greater Baton Rouge area.6
WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 5(D)(2) of the Constitution of Louisiana provides,7
relative to public institutions of postsecondary education, that it is a power, duty, and8
responsibility of the Board of Regents to approve a proposed degree program, department9
of instruction, division, or similar subdivision; and10
WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 5(D)(3)(a) of the Constitution of Louisiana further11
provides that it also is a power, duty, and responsibility of the board to study the need for12
and feasibility of creating a new institution of postsecondary education or merging13
institutions; and14
WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 5(D)(3)(b) of the Constitution of Louisiana15
specifies that if the creation of a new institution or a merger is proposed, the Board of16
Regents shall report its written findings and recommendations to the legislature within one17
year and specifies further that only after the report has been filed, or after one year from the18 SLS 12RS-385 ENGROSSED
SCR NO. 17
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receipt of a request for a report from the legislature if no report is filed, may the legislature1
take affirmative action on such a proposal and then only by a law enacted by two-thirds of2
the elected members of each house; and3
WHEREAS, community college services, provided through the Louisiana4
Community and Technical College System, have proven effective in serving individuals and5
communities by offering targeted academic programs, technical education, and occupational6
training programs designed to meet the state's workforce and economic development needs;7
and8
WHEREAS, the merger of Capital Area Technical College and Baton Rouge9
Community College will more adequately address the educational needs of students and the10
economic and workforce development needs in the greater Baton Rouge area; and11
WHEREAS, the merger of Capital Area Technical College and Baton Rouge12
Community College will provide access to improved opportunities and offerings to an under-13
served area of the state.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby15
urge and request the Board of Regents and the Board of Supervisors of Community and16
Technical Colleges to study the feasibility of merging Capital Area Technical College and17
Baton Rouge Community College in order to more adequately address the educational needs18
of students and the economic and workforce development needs of the greater Baton Rouge19
area.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana further requests the21
Board of Regents to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the22
Senate Committee on Education and House Committee on Education, not later than sixty23
days prior to the beginning of the 2013 Regular Session of the Legislature.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the25
commissioner of higher education, the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical26
College System, the regional director of Capital Area Technical College, and the chancellor27
of Baton Rouge Community College.28 SLS 12RS-385 ENGROSSED
SCR NO. 17
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The original instrument was prepared by Nancy Vicknair. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Jeanne Johnston.
DIGEST
Dorsey-Colomb SCR No. 17
Requests the Bd. of Regents and the Bd. of Supervisors of Community and Technical
Colleges to study the feasibility of merging Capital Area Technical College and Baton
Rouge Community College.
Further requests the Bd. of Regents to submit a written report of its findings and
recommendations to the Senate and House committees on education not later than 60 days
prior to the 2013 R.S.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Makes technical changes.