Senate Bill sb2388

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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 2388

    By Senator Pruitt





    28-1628-04

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to baccalaureate degree

  3         programs at community colleges; amending s.

  4         1000.21, F.S.; redesignating specified

  5         community colleges to conform to changes made

  6         by the act; amending s. 1001.64, F.S.;

  7         providing requirements for the board of

  8         trustees of a community college authorized to

  9         grant baccalaureate degrees; authorizing the

10         establishment of tuition and out-of-state fees;

11         amending s. 1004.65, F.S.; prohibiting a

12         community college from terminating associate

13         degree programs as a result of offering

14         baccalaureate programs; amending s. 1007.33,

15         F.S.; revising requirements for a proposal by a

16         community college to deliver a baccalaureate

17         degree program; requiring the State Board of

18         Education to assess proposals; requiring a

19         joint letter of agreement to implement a

20         proposed program; requiring the State Board of

21         Education to adopt policies and requirements

22         concerning reporting and performance

23         accountability for upper-division and

24         lower-division programs; prohibiting a

25         community college from offering graduate

26         programs; amending s. 1009.23, F.S.; providing

27         requirements for upper-division tuition and

28         fees; amending s. 1011.83, F.S.; providing for

29         funding a community college authorized to grant

30         baccalaureate degrees; amending s. 1013.60,

31         F.S.; revising requirements for the legislative

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 1         capital outlay budget request submitted by the

 2         Commissioner of Education; providing for

 3         recommendations for the expenditure of funds

 4         for facilities for baccalaureate degree

 5         programs at community colleges; providing an

 6         effective date.

 7  

 8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

 9  

10         Section 1.  Paragraphs (d), (o), and (q) of subsection

11  (3) of section 1000.21, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

12         1000.21  Systemwide definitions.--As used in the

13  Florida K-20 Education Code:

14         (3)  "Community college," except as otherwise

15  specifically provided, includes the following institutions and

16  any branch campuses, centers, or other affiliates of the

17  institution:

18         (d)  Chipola Junior College.

19         (o)  Miami Dade Miami-Dade Community College.

20         (q)  Okaloosa-Walton Community College.

21         Section 2.  Subsections (1), (2), and (8) of section

22  1001.64, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

23         1001.64  Community college boards of trustees; powers

24  and duties.--

25         (1)  The boards of trustees shall be responsible for

26  cost-effective policy decisions appropriate to the community

27  college's mission, the implementation and maintenance of

28  high-quality education programs within law and rules of the

29  State Board of Education, the measurement of performance, the

30  reporting of information, and the provision of input regarding

31  state policy, budgeting, and education standards. Community

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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 2388
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 1  colleges may grant baccalaureate degrees pursuant to s.

 2  1007.33 and shall remain under the authority of the State

 3  Board of Education for planning, coordination, oversight,

 4  budget, and accountability responsibilities.

 5         (2)  Each board of trustees is vested with the

 6  responsibility to govern its respective community college and

 7  with such necessary authority as is needed for the proper

 8  operation and improvement thereof in accordance with rules of

 9  the State Board of Education. This authority includes serving

10  as the governing board for purposes of granting baccalaureate

11  degrees as authorized pursuant to s. 1007.33 and approved by

12  the State Board of Education.

13         (8)  Each board of trustees has authority for policies

14  related to students, enrollment of students, student records,

15  student activities, financial assistance, and other student

16  services.

17         (a)  Each board of trustees shall govern admission of

18  students pursuant to s. 1007.263 and rules of the State Board

19  of Education. A board of trustees may establish additional

20  admissions criteria, which shall be included in the district

21  interinstitutional articulation agreement developed according

22  to s. 1007.235, to ensure student readiness for postsecondary

23  instruction. Each board of trustees may consider the past

24  actions of any person applying for admission or enrollment and

25  may deny admission or enrollment to an applicant because of

26  misconduct if determined to be in the best interest of the

27  community college.

28         (b)  Each board of trustees shall adopt rules

29  establishing student performance standards for the award of

30  degrees and certificates pursuant to s. 1004.68. The board of

31  trustees of a community college authorized to grant a

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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 2388
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 1  baccalaureate degree pursuant to s. 1007.33 may continue to

 2  award degrees, diplomas, and certificates as authorized for

 3  the college, and in the name of the college, until the college

 4  receives any necessary changes to its accreditation.

 5         (c)  Each board of trustees shall establish tuition and

 6  out-of-state fees for approved baccalaureate degree programs,

 7  consistent with law and proviso in the General Appropriations

 8  Act.

 9         (d)(c)  Boards of trustees are authorized to establish

10  intrainstitutional and interinstitutional programs to maximize

11  articulation pursuant to s. 1007.22.

12         (e)(d)  Boards of trustees shall identify their core

13  curricula, which shall include courses required by the State

14  Board of Education, pursuant to the provisions of s.

15  1007.25(6).

16         (f)(e)  Each board of trustees must adopt a written

17  antihazing policy, provide a program for the enforcement of

18  such rules, and adopt appropriate penalties for violations of

19  such rules pursuant to the provisions of s. 1006.63(1)-(3).

20         (g)(f)  Each board of trustees may establish a uniform

21  code of conduct and appropriate penalties for violation of its

22  rules by students and student organizations, including rules

23  governing student academic honesty. Such penalties, unless

24  otherwise provided by law, may include fines, the withholding

25  of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with rules or

26  payment of fines, and the imposition of probation, suspension,

27  or dismissal.

28         (h)(g)  Each board of trustees pursuant to s. 1006.53

29  shall adopt a policy in accordance with rules of the State

30  Board of Education that reasonably accommodates the religious

31  observance, practice, and belief of individual students in

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 1  regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of

 2  examinations and work assignments.

 3         Section 3.  Subsections (7) and (9) of section 1004.65,

 4  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

 5         1004.65  Community colleges; definition, mission, and

 6  responsibilities.--

 7         (7)  A separate and secondary role for community

 8  colleges includes:

 9         (a)  Providing upper level instruction and awarding

10  baccalaureate degrees as specifically authorized by law.

11  Community colleges that are approved to offer baccalaureate

12  degree programs shall maintain the primary mission pursuant to

13  subsection (6) and may not terminate associate in arts or

14  associate in science degree programs as a result of the

15  authorization to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

16         (b)  The offering of programs in:

17         1.  Community services that are not directly related to

18  academic or occupational advancement.

19         2.  Adult general education.

20         3.  Recreational and leisure services.

21         (9)  Community colleges are authorized to offer such

22  programs and courses as are necessary to fulfill their mission

23  and are authorized to grant associate in arts degrees,

24  associate in science degrees, associate in applied science

25  degrees, certificates, awards, and diplomas. Each community

26  college is also authorized to make provisions for the General

27  Educational Development test. Each community college may

28  provide access to and award baccalaureate degrees in

29  accordance with law.

30         Section 4.  Section 1007.33, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:

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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 2388
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 1         1007.33  Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.--

 2         (1)  The Legislature recognizes that public and private

 3  postsecondary educational institutions play essential roles in

 4  improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the

 5  state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that

 6  economic development needs and the educational needs of

 7  place-bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand

 8  for local access to baccalaureate degree programs. In some,

 9  but not all, geographic regions, baccalaureate degree programs

10  are being delivered successfully at the local community

11  college through agreements between the community college and

12  4-year postsecondary institutions within or outside of the

13  state.  It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to

14  further expand access to baccalaureate degree programs through

15  the use of community colleges to provide programs that meet

16  critical workforce needs.

17         (2)  A community college may enter into a formal

18  agreement pursuant to the provisions of s. 1007.22 for the

19  delivery of specified baccalaureate degree programs.

20         (3)  A community college may develop a proposal to

21  deliver specified baccalaureate degree programs in its

22  district to meet local workforce needs; expand access to

23  postsecondary education particularly to diverse,

24  nontraditional, and geographically bound students; enhance

25  articulation particularly in program areas where articulation

26  is limited; or provide the means of obtaining a baccalaureate

27  degree in a manner that is most cost-efficient to the student

28  and the state. The proposal must be submitted to the State

29  Board of Education requesting a formal assessment by the

30  department and for approval, in accordance with timeframes and

31  guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education. The

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    Florida Senate - 2004                                  SB 2388
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 1  community college's proposal must include a statement of

 2  determination by the college that the following information:

 3         (a)  Demand for the baccalaureate degree program is

 4  identified by the workforce development board, local

 5  businesses and industry, local chambers of commerce, and

 6  potential students.

 7         (b)  Unmet need for graduates of the proposed degree

 8  program is substantiated.

 9         (c)  The community college has the facilities and

10  academic resources to deliver the program.

11         (d)  Innovative and alternative options have been

12  considered, such as distance learning and university

13  partnerships, and found less cost-effective for the student,

14  the community, and the state.

15  

16  The State Board of Education shall conduct a formal assessment

17  and approve, deny, or require revisions to proposals, in

18  accordance with timeframes and guidelines adopted by the State

19  Board of Education. The State Board of Education may approve

20  only those proposals that fully comply with the requirements

21  of this subsection and s. 1004.03(2) and represent the most

22  efficient and cost-effective manner to provide access to the

23  degree. The proposal must be submitted to the Council for

24  Education Policy Research and Improvement for review and

25  comment.

26         (4)  Upon approval of the State Board of Education for

27  the specific degree program or programs, the community college

28  shall pursue regional accreditation by the Commission on

29  Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

30  Any additional baccalaureate degree programs the community

31  college wishes to offer must be approved by the State Board of

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 1  Education pursuant to the process outlined in this section.

 2  Approved programs shall be implemented in accordance with

 3  joint letters of agreement between the State Board of

 4  Education and colleges approved by the State Board pursuant to

 5  this section.

 6         (5)  The State Board of Education shall adopt by rule

 7  policies that address the baccalaureate degree programs at

 8  community colleges approved pursuant to this section,

 9  including reporting policies and performance accountability

10  requirements for both upper-division and lower-division

11  programs.

12         (6)(4)  A community college may not terminate its

13  associate in arts or associate in science degree programs as a

14  result of the authorization provided in subsection (3). The

15  Legislature intends that the primary mission of a community

16  college, including a community college that offers

17  baccalaureate degree programs, continues to be the provision

18  of associate degrees that provide access to a university.

19         (7)  A community college may not offer graduate

20  programs.

21         (8)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules to

22  administer this section.

23         Section 5.  Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section

24  1009.23, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

25         1009.23  Community college student fees.--

26         (1)  Unless otherwise provided, the provisions of this

27  section apply only to fees charged for college credit

28  instruction leading to an associate in arts degree, an

29  associate in applied science degree, or an associate in

30  science degree, or a baccalaureate degree authorized by the

31  State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.33, and for

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 1  noncollege credit college-preparatory courses defined in s.

 2  1004.02.

 3         (2)(a)  All students shall be charged fees except

 4  students who are exempt from fees or students whose fees are

 5  waived.

 6         (b)  Tuition and out-of-state fees for upper-division

 7  students must reflect the fact that the college has a less

 8  expensive cost structure than that of a state university.

 9  Therefore, the board of trustees shall establish tuition and

10  out-of-state fees for upper-division students within a range

11  between fees for lower-division credit courses and the local

12  state university tuition and out-of-state fees.

13         (3)  The State Board of Education shall adopt by

14  December 31 of each year a resident fee schedule for the

15  following fall for advanced and professional, associate in

16  science degree, baccalaureate degree programs authorized by

17  the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.33, and

18  college-preparatory programs that produce revenues in the

19  amount of 25 percent of the full prior year's cost of these

20  programs. Fees for courses in college-preparatory programs and

21  associate in arts and associate in science degree programs may

22  be established at the same level. In the absence of a

23  provision to the contrary in an appropriations act, the fee

24  schedule shall take effect and the colleges shall expend the

25  funds on instruction.  If the Legislature provides for an

26  alternative fee schedule in an appropriations act, the fee

27  schedule shall take effect the subsequent fall semester.

28         Section 6.  Section 1011.83, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30         1011.83  Financial support of community colleges.--

31  

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 1         (1)  Each community college that has been approved by

 2  the Department of Education and meets the requirements of law

 3  and rules of the State Board of Education shall participate in

 4  the Community College Program Fund. However, funds to support

 5  workforce development programs conducted by community colleges

 6  shall be provided by the Workforce Development Education Fund

 7  pursuant to s. 1011.80. Community colleges shall fund the

 8  nonrecurring costs related to the initiation of a new

 9  baccalaureate degree program pursuant to s. 1007.33 without

10  new state appropriations, unless special grant funds are

11  designated by the State Board of Education, subject to funding

12  by the Legislature for this purpose. However, a new

13  baccalaureate program may not accept students without a

14  recurring legislative appropriation for this purpose.

15  Recurring operational funding for a community college

16  authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees pursuant to s.

17  1007.33 shall be funded as follows:

18         (a)  As a community college for its workforce

19  development education programs and for its lower-division

20  level college credit courses and programs funded in the

21  community college program fund pursuant to this section.

22         (b)  As a baccalaureate-degree-level institution for

23  its upper-division level courses and programs. State support

24  for these programs should not exceed 85 percent of the amount

25  of state support per full-time equivalent student in a

26  comparable state university program. Funds appropriated for

27  this purpose may be used only for the baccalaureate degree

28  programs.

29         (2)  Community colleges that grant baccalaureate

30  degrees shall maintain reporting and funding distinctions

31  between any baccalaureate degree program approved pursuant to

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 1  s. 1007.33 and other baccalaureate degree programs involving

 2  traditional concurrent-use partnerships.

 3         Section 7.  Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (3) of

 4  section 1013.60, Florida Statutes, to read:

 5         1013.60  Legislative capital outlay budget request.--

 6         (3)  The commissioner shall submit an integrated,

 7  comprehensive budget request to the Executive Office of the

 8  Governor and to the Legislature each fiscal year by the

 9  submission date specified in s. 216.023(1). Notwithstanding

10  the provisions of s. 216.043, the integrated, comprehensive

11  budget request shall include:

12         (c)  Recommendations for the priority expenditure of

13  funds for facilities for baccalaureate degree programs at

14  community colleges pursuant to s. 1007.33, provided the

15  projects are identified in a college's capital improvement

16  plan. Such projects shall not be considered a component of the

17  3-year priority list of the community college or state

18  university system pursuant to s. 1013.64(4)(a). Community

19  colleges approved to grant baccalaureate degrees may request

20  funding from the Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt

21  Service Trust Fund for all authorized programs, including

22  approved baccalaureate degree programs pursuant to this

23  paragraph. Enrollment in approved baccalaureate degree

24  programs shall be computed into the survey of need for

25  facilities.

26         Section 8.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2004.

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 1            *****************************************

 2                          SENATE SUMMARY

 3    Redesignates Chipola Junior College as "Chipola College,"
      Miami-Dade Community College as "Miami Dade College," and
 4    Okaloosa-Walton Community College as "Okaloosa-Walton
      College." Revises requirements for and conditions under
 5    which a community college may be authorized by the State
      Board of Education to offer baccalaureate degree
 6    programs. Requires a joint letter of agreement between
      the college and the board to implement a proposed
 7    program. Provides requirements for tuition and fees for a
      baccalaureate degree program. Requires the State Board of
 8    Education to adopt rules. (See bill for details.)

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