NEWS DIGEST - JUNE 26, 2015 DATEBOOK

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1 NEWS DIGEST - JUNE 26, 2015 DATEBOOK Quotable "I wanted to race cars. I didn't like school, and all I wanted to do was work on cars. But right before I graduated, I got into a really bad car accident, and I spent that summer in the hospital thinking about where I was heading. I decided to take education more seriously and go to a community college." -- George Lucas 'Oregon Promise': $10 million program to offer almostfree community college tuition July 21-22, 2015 Board Training Oregon Garden, Silverton August 2-5, 2015 Oregon Presidents Council Retreat Clackamas November 4-6, 2015 OCCA Annual Conference Salishan Resort Gleneden Beach

2 to certain students OCCA helps craft compromise to aid low-income students Starting in fall 2016, certain high school graduates would be the first to attend community college for free under the new "Oregon Promise" program, under legislation that cleared a key budget hurdle this week. Nobody knows yet what the impact of the Oregon approach might be, although it will be limited in scope by the $10 million price tag. Details still need to be worked out by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, including how to prioritize who gets the waivers and whether student fees will be included. Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, emerged Thursday from the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, setting the stage for quick passage by both the House and Senate. The original draft of the bill included no money for low income students and could have become an unfunded mandate on colleges. However, OCCA worked to amend the bill to include a minimum $1000 grant to eligible students who may also receive the federal Pell Grant, and now the program is a grant program run through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission with no mandate on colleges. To help mitigate costs, the state waiver program will be limited to students who graduate from high school or earn a GED within six months of starting community college. The OCCA and Higher Education Coordinating Commission are neutral on the bill. A student is eligible for a grant equivalent to the waived tuition costs under the bill if: IN THIS ISSUE Lawmakers advance Oregon Promise, to offer free community college to some students Potential cuts to Pell Grants alarm national college advocates New poll shows Americans value community college and university education similarly Statewide meetings will seek feedback on workforce priorities Education budget includes dedicated CTE money for higher education Bill will steer $3 million to help underserved community college students Legislation will reinstate community college financial data collection OCCA announces communications changes Upcoming hearings Association member news of interest

3 1. The courses taken by the student are required for completion of transfer requirements to another institution, an associates degree, or a CTE program; 2. The student is a resident of the state at least 12 months; 3. The student graduated from high school or earned a GED within six months; 4. The student earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5; 5. The student completed and submitted the FAFSA, the application for federal aid including Pell Grants; 6. The student has not already earned a degree or a certificate, or completed 90 hours of coursework. Students who receive the grants would need to pay $50 per term. The grants will be prorated for part-time students. Sen. Rod Monroe, the cochairman of the education budget panel, said he anticipates lawmakers will look again at the Oregon Promise concept in the 2016 session to see if any last-minute changes are needed before the program goes into effect for fall Senate Bill 81 is advancing as a package with Senate Bill 413, which would help community colleges address advising and attempt to strengthen capacity to handle more students while also helping them to succeed and complete their studies. The companion bill also creates a workgroup to consider the evolution of dual credit programs and to discuss student needs. OCCA STAFF Andrea Henderson Executive Director andrea@occa17.com John Wykoff Legislative Director jwykoff@occa17.com Karen Smith General Counsel ksmith@occa17.com Megan Jensen Deputy Director of Operations mjensen@occa17.com James Sinks Communications Director james@occa17.com Elizabeth Cox-Brand Student Success and Assessment Director elizabeth@occa17.com Stephanie Bobb Office Manager/ Special Events stephanie@occa17.com Katie Archambault Research and Communications Specialist katie@occa17.com

4 Alarmed by proposed Pell Grant reductions in Congress, college advocates urge public outcry Letters drafted to oppose U.S. House and Senate actions Both the U.S. House and Senate are currently moving forward with bills that would include significant cuts to the Pell Grant program. That threatens to undercut college affordability for needy families at a time when many states including Oregon are urging more students to seek federal financial aid. Alarmed, the Association of Community College Trustees is urging community college advocates and board members across the country to send an avalanche of communications to Congress, asking members to change course. In the Senate, the Fiscal Year 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations proposal includes numerous cuts to higher education, including a $300 million rescission of Pell Grant funding. The bill also reduces funding for SEOG, Federal Work Study, Adult Basic Education, grants under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, and Minority Serving Institutions. The spending blueprint bill in the House does not propose the same scope of higher education cuts as the Senate version, but does include a $370 million cut to the Pell Grant program. The ACCT says the plan would shave a current Pell Grant surplus, and would likely lead to a shortfall for the program in the 2017 fiscal year. Because of angst over the potential impact to needy families who rely on Pell Grants for college access and affordability, national

5 college advocates are coordinating a letter campaign to members of both chambers of Congress. Letter to oppose the Senate's bill: Letter to oppose the House's bill: Gallup poll: Community college education is as wellregarded as universities Respondents had less favorable impressions of online programs A recent study by Gallup showed that Americans would rate the quality of education at a two year community college and four year college about equally. Adults sixty five and older even rated community colleges 6 percent higher. In addition, year olds and people with some college also rated community colleges higher, but by a smaller margin. The study also considered online programs, which were perceived as significantly lower in quality than both university and community college educations. Only 36 percent of people said online programs were good or excellent, and many people think they lack in some key areas. Aside from a small gap in the postgraduate (9 percent) and year old (12 percent) demographics, which regard four year colleges as slightly better, community colleges and four-year

6 schools were within a few points of each other. Though it may be harder to gain acceptance into and afford four year colleges and universities, Americans view the quality of education they provide as no better than that of community colleges, the poll analysis says. (This story by intern Elaine Black) Education leaders, employers invited to workforce town halls across Oregon this summer Oregon Workforce Investment Board seeks feedback The Oregon Workforce Investment Board is seeking feedback on the state s vision and high level goals for the workforce system. Significant changes have been made to federal and state workforce system in the past year, such as establishment of four new Local Workforce Investment Boards. In light of the changes, the state wants to develop a "broad, unifying vision and statewide goals for building a highly skilled and educated workforce to meet the needs of businesses." A new strategic plan is under development to guide the public workforce system. It will rely on feedback gathered over the past year, but board members also will solicit additional local input and perspective in a series of community forums in July and August. The meetings will be staged in partnership with local workforce boards, the state Employment Department, and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.

7 The meeting dates and locations are: July 8 Eugene July 10 Portland July 15 Clackamas July 22 Salem July 24 Lincoln City July 27 Medford July 28 Bend July 30 La Grande August 4 Coos Bay For more information, contact the Workforce Investment Board. The budget-drafting Joint Ways and Means Committee approved the budget for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission this week, which includes a $550 million appropriation to the Community College Support Fund. Education budget includes grant program to augment career and technical programs Additional funds targeted to higher education Oregon community college students, who will benefit from a record

8 level of state spending in , got some additional budgetary good news this week. The new budget for the state Department of Education includes a dedication of $2 million to help launch new career and technical education programs higher education institutions, as part of an overall $35 million initiative to bolster CTE and Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programs statewide. The agency will decide how to allot the higher education grants, which will go to high-demand fields including health sciences, computer science, engineering, high-tech manufacturing, precision agriculture and advanced food processing. As much as 10 percent of the funding can help pay for wraparound services to recruit and support students of color and women, according to budget documents prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Office. The Department of Education budget is part of the final flurry of major budget bills being finalized as the session nearing its finale. The package for Career and Technical Education and STEM programs includes regional STEM Hubs ($5 million), CTE Revitalization grants ($9 million), STEM innovation grants ($4.75 million), CTE summer programming ($1.75 million) and a career pathway fund ($8.75 million). The budget also details a $7 million general fund appropriation, as provided in Senate Bill 418, for accelerated learning programs and to offset costs for Advanced Placement and other testing programs.

9 House Bill will steer $3 million to help underserved community college students Grants available to community colleges statewide Legislators are advancing a grant program that is specifically targeted to help underserved, low income and first generation students at Oregon's community colleges. The additional assistance will help community colleges statewide in their collective goals to be a ladder from poverty to the middle class. House Bill 3063 appropriates $3 million from the state General Fund to the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, which is part of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, to increase enrollment of the targeted students and help them progress toward a degree or a certificate. In addition to colleges, community college foundations also can seek and receive the grants. Legislative analysts said the cost of administering the program is expected to be minimal and thus no additional state staffing will be needed. The legislation was approved Thursday by the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education. The only critique came from Rep. John Huffman, R-The Dalles, who supports the concept but characterized it as a piecemeal approach. He would like to see a comprehensive effort toward making college more accessible and affordable.

10 Public community colleges are a significant higher education value, as this graphic from the American Association of Community Colleges shows. Still, affordability is a challenge, with lower tuition representing just one of the costs for students and families. Gerald Hamilton Appointed Interim President for Clatsop Community College Gerald Hamilton has been appointed as Clatsop Community College s interim president for the next year, replacing President Lawrence Galizio, who has accepted a position at the Community College League of California. Hamilton has worked for many years in the education arena, including as president of Klamath Falls Community College from 2007 to 2012 and most recently as the interim executive director of the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. Hamilton will begin his position at Clatsop on August 1.

11 Community colleges are Oregon's ladder to the middle class and family wage jobs. The OCCA's Basic Information Guide offers a snapshot of trends, demographics, opportunities and challenges at Oregon's 17 diverse community colleges. Download it here. KEY UPCOMING HEARINGS AND WORK SESSIONS (Note: These are the priority bills scheduled for action next week, as of today. Because the projected Sine Die is within a month, Legislative leaders have announced that bills can be posted with an hour notice.) MONDAY Senate floor SB 113B - Requires Higher Education Coordinating Commission to convene work group of stakeholders to determine most appropriate method for public universities and community colleges to report employment data for employees. Priority: 2 PRIORITY LEGISLATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES HB Related to compliance with green energy technology

12 mandates for public buildings HB Related to apprenticeship in public construction HB Budget /Capital construction (state bonding) HB Budget / Capital construction (state bonding) HB Budget / Higher Education Coordinating Commission SB Requires tuition waiver for community colleges SB Appropriates $589 million to the community college support fund. HB 2015-A -- Related to child care subsidies, eligibility and facility inspections HB Sets limits on contracting with third-party financial aid management services providers HB 2407-A -- Guarantees a second-year Opportunity Grant to firstyear recipients HB 2408-A -- Absorbs CCWD into the Higher Education Coordinating Commission HB 2410-A -- Allows community colleges to grant certificates for completion of noncredit programs HB Modifies exemptions from 60-month time limit on receipt of temporary assistance for needy families. HB 2525-A -- Requires standards related to transferability of credits and acceptance of test scores HB National standardized assessment to determine course placement at community college. HB Relating to course transfers to public universities. HB Allows computer coding to satisfy second language requirements in community colleges HB Faculty member employed by community college to teach incarcerated persons qualifies as police officer for PERS HB Limits state guaranty of local education bonds. HB Related to achievement compacts HB Appropriates money for grants to serve low income and first generation students. HB Reroutes K-12 funding if non-high school completers attend community college HB Sets minimum standards for high school teachers to teach college classes

13 HB Relating to contracts for student financial aid services HB Prohibits tuition increase in HB Relating to apprenticeship and public contracting HB Requires public contracting data to be posted on Oregon transparency website HB Requires contracting agency to conduct study concerning how procurement will affect local area HB Relating to post-secondary education of inmates HB Relating to child care at community colleges HB Changes eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits HB Establishes privilege in communications related to domestic violence, sexual assault programs SB Establishes statewide standards and funding mechanisms for accelerated college credit programs SB Allows withdrawal from health benefit plans offered by Oregon Educators Benefit Board SB 113-A -- HECC workgroup would examine reporting of staffing ratios SB Evaluate methods for two-generation strategy to address poverty. SB Removes sunset on Oregon Education Investment Board. SB Establishes funding mechanism for fifth year high school programs. SB Permits employee to seek judicial review of procurement cost analysis or determination. SB Relating to unemployment insurance benefits for certain educational institution employees. SB 473-A -- Related to student records and demographic sexual identity data at higher education institutions SB Study and potentially develop process for universities to award associate degrees SB 519-A -- Directs community college districts to use uniform budget and accounting system SB Requires that 25 percent of Opportunity Grants be awarded to STEM students SB Allows Councils of Government to qualify for benefit coverage under public employee plans

14 SB Specifies that hours of part time faculty are totaled for health care coverage consideration SB Appropriates money to community college CTE programs SB 932-A -- Extends eligibility for state financial aid to nonresident students under certain conditions ASSOCIATION MEMBER NEWS OF INTEREST Check out OCCA's Twitter feed or Facebook page for daily news and community college information links. CENTRAL OREGON A Community College at the Center of an Oregon Recovery Story (June 22, The Atlantic) CENTRAL OREGON Community college culinary institute hosts high school instructors (June 26, Bend Bulletin) CLATSOP Community college chooses interim leader (June 25, Daily Astorian) CLATSOP College expanding welding, computer science programs (June 22, Daily Astorian) COLUMBIA GORGE Helping hunter safety: College to host preparedness training for bighorn tag holders (June 23, Statesman Journal) KLAMATH Graduation helps highlight 'dual credit efforts' to help high schoolers earn community college credits (June 22, Herald &

15 News) LINN BENTON Space exploration camp sends up rocket with help of instruments programmed at NASA (June 25, LBCC News) TILLAMOOK BAY Tech Trek camp helps get girls excited about STEM (June 26, Headlight Herald) TILLAMOOK BAY Column: Graduating students put in hard work and got support from families and friends (June 25, Headlight Herald) UMPQUA Winemaker and inventor Scott Henry honored by Southern Oregon Wine Institute (July 1, Oregon Wine Press) Oregon s 17 community colleges are a vital part of the state s education system and serve roughly 350,000 students a year, or about 1 in 11 Oregonians, from border-to-border. The OCCA Digest updates members and the public about recent news affecting community colleges, and also efforts by the association to enhance student success and workforce development. Do you have links to local stories or other items of interest? Please forward them to James@occa17.com Copyright 2015 Oregon Community College Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this because you are listed in our online member directory for community colleges or are a community college supporter. Our mailing address is: Oregon Community College Association th St NE Salem, OR 97301