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HB 442 -- MISSOURI SOUTHERN AND MISSOURI WESTERN STATE COLLEGES

This bill designates Missouri Southern State College, located in
Joplin, as a moderately selective institution and authorizes it
to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and to
offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs and activities
necessary to establish international or global education as the
theme of its mission.

The bill also designates Missouri Western State College, located
in St. Joseph, as an open enrollment institution and authorizes
it to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and
to offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs necessary to
support its open enrollment mission.

Within 12 months of the effective date of the bill, the boards
of regents at both schools are required to submit to the
Coordinating Board for Higher Education a three-year plan
outlining admissions requirements, program changes,
institutional performance goals, assessment measures, and fees
appropriate to both schools' statutory missions.

This bill changes the requirement that the state provide the
necessary funds for staff and operational costs for Missouri
Southern State College and Missouri Western State College, and
instead allows the state to provide such funding for both
schools.

HB 442 -- STATE COLLEGES (Witt)

This bill designates Missouri Southern State College, located in
Joplin, as a moderately selective institution and authorizes it
to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and to
offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs and activities
necessary to establish international or global education as the
theme of its mission.

The bill also designates Missouri Western State College, located
in St. Joseph, as an open enrollment institution and authorizes
it to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and
to offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs necessary to
support its open enrollment mission.

Within 12 months of the effective date of the bill, the boards
of regents at both schools are required to submit to the
Coordinating Board for Higher Education a three-year plan
outlining admissions requirements, program changes,
institutional performance goals, assessment measures, and fees
appropriate to both schools' statutory missions.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0
in FY 96, $0 to $1,600,447 in FY 97, & $0 to $3,124,812 in FY
98. -- SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS.

HB 442 -- STATE COLLEGES

SPONSOR: Witt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Higher
Education by a vote of 16 to 2.

This bill designates Missouri Southern State College, located in
Joplin, as a moderately selective institution and authorizes it
to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and to
offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs and activities
necessary to establish international or global education as the
theme of its mission.

The bill also designates Missouri Western State College, located
in St. Joseph, as an open enrollment institution and authorizes
it to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and
to offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs necessary to
support its open enrollment mission.

Within 12 months of the effective date of the bill, the boards
of regents at both schools are required to submit to the
Coordinating Board for Higher Education a three-year plan
outlining admissions requirements, program changes,
institutional performance goals, assessment measures, and fees
appropriate to both schools' statutory missions.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0
in FY 96, $0 to $1,600,447 in FY 97, & $0 to $3,124,812 in FY
98. -- SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS.

PROPONENTS:   Supporters say that this bill will allow citizens
of the state to have greater access to educational
opportunities; in addition, the mission enhancements allow
Missouri to keep pace with the changing needs of both students
and employers.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Witt, Burton,
Shields, Kelly (27), Surface, and Marble; Coordinating Board for
Higher Education; Dr. Janet Murphy, President, Missouri Western
State College; and Dr. Julio Leon, President, Missouri Southern
State College.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Research Analyst

HB 442 -- State Colleges

Sponsor:  Witt

This bill designates Missouri Southern State College, located in
Joplin, as a moderately selective institution and authorizes it
to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and to
offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs and activities
necessary to establish international or global education as the
theme of its mission.

The bill also designates Missouri Western State College, located
in St. Joseph, as an open enrollment institution and authorizes
it to provide associate and baccalaureate degree programs, and
to offer a master's level degree program in accountancy.  The
college is to develop academic support programs necessary to
support its open enrollment mission.

Within 12 months of the effective date of the bill, the boards
of regents at both schools are required to submit to the
Coordinating Board for Higher Education a three-year plan
outlining admissions requirements, program changes,
institutional performance goals, assessment measures, and fees
appropriate to both schools' statutory missions.