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| Illustration by Rebecca Straughmatt Mesa Legend |
House bills draw opposition
Adam Eickerman
Mesa Legend
Two proposed bills currently at the Arizona State Legislator could have major impacts on education and how it is obtained at the college level, but there are some in the state legislator and Arizona Board of Regents who are strongly opposed to the bills.
Despite some of the opposition, HB2079 was passed in a 5-1 vote recently by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
The two bills, HB2079 and HB2385, will both allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees, but are somewhat different from each other.
The first bill, introduced by Rep. Laura Knaperek R-Tempe, would create per student growth funding for universities and community colleges, set up a Transfer Articulation Commission, and would allow community colleges to offer limited four-year degree programs among others.
The second bill focuses directly on allowing community colleges to begin offering four-year degrees at the beginning FY 2006-07.
“My biggest concern is a two tiered college system,” said Rep. David Lujan R-Phoenix.
“I don’t see the evidence that universities won’t be able to meet that need. The bill (HB2079) dilutes the focus on being a community college,” said Lujan.
He also stated that although community colleges may be able and willing to offer the same quality of courses, they would not be able to offer the quantity of 300 and 400 level courses that make up a four-year degree.
Although other members of the house also had anxiety about supporting HB2079, it was passed by a 31-24 vote with five representatives that did not vote.
The bill will now have to be reconsidered by the House because the Senate revised the bill before the vote.
Gary Stuart, President of the Arizona Board of Regents, is also among those who oppose community colleges offering four-year degrees. “We don’t think it is good policy to establish a need for the degrees. There is no gap analysis, no economic data to support the need,” said Stuart.
With state universities already offering degrees, Stuart does not comprehend the idea in creating something that is already in existence. Community colleges already offer transfer programs and 2+2 degrees, and the colleges should maintain this ideology because it has worked so well for so long, according to Stuart.
“I don’t see where cost is the issue; a college education is something to be invested in by the student,” said Stuart, adding that currently, it only costs about $4400 per student per year to attend ASU, while the other $9,000 per student is subsidized by the state.
“I think that is a fairly reasonably charge,” continued Stuart.
Under HB2385, introduced by Rep. Russell Pearce R-Pearce, more of the cost would go to the taxpayer and less to the student.
“This is definitely a burden to the taxpayers, and I think that it has been something that has been glossed over,” said Lujan. Back to Top
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