The Florida Senate

1007.33  Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that public and private postsecondary educational institutions play essential roles in improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that economic development needs and the educational needs of place-bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand for local access to baccalaureate degree programs. In some, but not all, geographic regions, baccalaureate degree programs are being delivered successfully at the local community college through agreements between the community college and 4-year postsecondary institutions within or outside of the state. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to further expand access to baccalaureate degree programs through the use of community colleges.

(2)  A community college may enter into a formal agreement pursuant to the provisions of s. 1007.22 for the delivery of specified baccalaureate degree programs.

(3)(a)  A community college may develop a proposal to deliver specified baccalaureate degree programs in its district to meet local workforce needs. A community college may also develop proposals to deliver baccalaureate degree programs in math and science which would prepare graduates to enter a teaching position in math or science.

(b)  The community college's proposal must be submitted to the State Board of Education for approval.

(c)  The community college's proposal must include the following information:

1.  Demand for the baccalaureate degree program is identified by the workforce development board, local businesses and industry, local chambers of commerce, and potential students.

2.  Unmet need for graduates of the proposed degree program is substantiated.

3.  The community college has the facilities and academic resources to deliver the program.

(d)  A community college that plans to submit a proposal pursuant to this subsection shall submit notice of its intent to the State Board of Education, including a brief description of the program that will be proposed and an estimated timeframe for implementation, at least 90 days prior to submitting the proposal. The State Board of Education shall advise state universities and each regionally accredited private college and university that is chartered in and has its primary campus located in the state of the community college's notice of intent. State universities shall have 60 days to submit an alternative proposal to offer the baccalaureate degree program on the community college campus. If the state board does not receive a proposal from a state university within the 60-day time period or if the university proposal is not approved, the state board shall provide the regionally accredited private colleges and universities 30 days to submit an alternative proposal. An alternative proposal must adequately address:

1.  The extent to which students will be able to complete the degree in the community college district.

2.  The level of financial commitment of the college or university to the development, implementation, and maintenance of the specified degree program, including timelines.

3.  The extent to which faculty at both the community college and the college or university will collaborate in the development and offering of the curriculum.

4.  The ability of the community college and the college or university to develop and approve the curriculum for the specified degree program within 6 months after an agreement between the community college and the college or university is signed.

5.  The extent to which the student may incur additional costs above what the student would expect to incur if the program were offered by the community college.

(e)  The State Board of Education must consider the alternative proposals in making its decision to approve or deny a community college's proposal.

(f)  If no alternative proposal is received or approved and the State Board of Education determines that a community college proposal is deficient, the state board must notify the community college of the deficiencies in writing and provide the community college the opportunity to correct the deficiencies.

(g)  Upon approval of the State Board of Education for the specific degree program or programs, the community college shall pursue regional accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(h)  Any additional baccalaureate degree programs the community college wishes to offer must be approved by the State Board of Education.

(i)  Approval by the State Board of Education of a community college proposal to deliver a specified baccalaureate degree program does not alter the governance relationship of the community college with its local board of trustees or the State Board of Education.

(4)  A community college may not terminate its associate in arts or associate in science degree programs as a result of the authorization provided in subsection (3). The Legislature intends that the primary mission of a community college, including a community college that offers baccalaureate degree programs, continues to be the provision of associate degrees that provide access to a university.

History.--s. 363, ch. 2002-387; s. 122, ch. 2007-217; s. 7, ch. 2007-246.