Seeking a shift in the role of community colleges
Bills would allow housing, bachelor's degrees
Sunday, September 2, 2007
SPRINGFIELD - One Illinois community college could offer bachelor's degrees, and others could run their own student housing operations under separate legislative proposals that have some observers wondering: Are the state's two-year schools looking to change their traditional role?Supporters of both ideas say no, the schools merely are trying to serve the needs of their communities and their students. Opponents, though, are less convinced.
Both proposals have cleared one legislative hurdle, the Illinois House of Representatives, and stalled in the state Senate. Before becoming law, they would have to pass in the Senate and be signed by the governor.
House Bill 414 would partially lift the ban that prevents community colleges from owning and operating on-campus housing units.
If enacted into law, HB414 would apply only to community college districts that encompass eight or more counties. ICC, Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield and Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg fit that description.
Providing housing for its students is a concern for CSC, but the college isn't all that interested in operating its own on-campus housing units.
"The college's preference is that housing would be offered off campus by a private entity or individual," said Robin DeMott, director of marketing and public relations for CSC. "We would be looking for quality, cost-effective housing for our students."
"I think it makes sense," said Rep. Aaron Schock, a Peoria Republican who spearheaded the bill's passage through the House.
Community colleges throughout Illinois used to be pretty similar to one another, Schock said.
"But most community colleges now have very career-specific courses that are unique to their district," he said, citing ICC's Diesel Powered Equipment Technology Program as an example.
Such programs attract students who live far away, and they need housing while they're in the program, Schock said.
DeMott said many of CSC's programs require full-time enrollment, which can pose a problem for many students. Recruiting student-athletes, from inside and outside of CSC's district, can also be difficult with few housing options.
For the college to continue offering its current programs, DeMott said CSC needs to begin recruiting more students beyond the district's boundaries.
"We cannot rely on the current levels of enrollment from within our boundaries," DeMott said. "We will have to draw students from outside of our district to continue to offer services within our district."
The main opposition to the idea has come from four-year institutions, Schock said.
"They know this is not going to be the downfall of the U of I or Western. It's more of a philosophical battle," he said.
Western Illinois University in Macomb went on record this year as opposing Schock's housing legislation, said John Maguire, WIU's assistant vice president for university relations.
"We're wanting people to address the big picture" on both matters, which he said should be part of a larger discussion on the role of community colleges. That discussion doesn't have to take place in front of the General Assembly, he said, adding that the Board of Higher Education might be a more appropriate venue.
John Avendano, Illinois Community College's vice president for academic affairs and student development, said that while college-owned housing would serve students better, not being able to do that "would not stop us from being able to meet our mission."
Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, is the Senate sponsor for House Bill 414. He said he intends to advance the community college housing legislation later this year, despite concerns raised by the four-year institutions.
The universities "don't want the community colleges to turn into universities," Jacobs said. "They may tell you something different, but that is the bottom line."
"I think the universities in Illinois are so well-established, they don't have anything to worry about," he added.
House Bill 1434, sponsored by Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, would allow Harper College in Palatine to set up a pilot program through which the school could offer a bachelor's degree in two areas: Public safety administration/homeland security and technology management.
That bill is having a tougher time gaining support in the Senate and is opposed by the Illinois Community College Board, which serves as the state coordinating panel for community colleges.
DeMott said CSC has no desire to offer bachelor's degrees.
"We do not see the need," DeMott said. "We will continue, like we have in the past, developing partnerships."
CSC currently has programs with Western, Knox College, Monmouth College and Bradley for students wishing to pursue bachelor's degrees.
Reporter Cigi Ross contributed to this report.
Community College Bills
Legislation expanding authority of community colleges in Illinois
House Bill 414
What it would do: Permit certain two-year educational institutions - those located in community college districts that encompass at least eight counties - to own and operate on-campus homes for students or staff.
Status: The House of Representatives voted 82-32 for the bill in March. It moved to the Senate and has not been acted upon there.
House Bill 1434
What it would do: Permit Harper College in Palatine to set up a pilot program offering bachelor's degrees in two fields of study if certain conditions are met. For instance, the degree program must not compete with any nearby public university. The pilot program would end in four years. Harper says one of the bachelor's degrees would be offered in public safety administration/homeland security and the other in technology management.
Status: The House of Representatives voted 69-48 for the bill in April. It moved to the Senate and has not been acted upon there.
