The Florida Senate

240.147  Powers and duties of the commission.--The commission shall:

(1)  Serve as a citizen board to coordinate the efforts of postsecondary institutions in this state and provide independent policy analyses and recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Legislature.

(2)  Prepare and submit to the State Board of Education a master plan for postsecondary education. The plan shall include consideration of the promotion of quality, fundamental educational goals, programmatic access, needs for remedial education, regional and state economic development, international education programs, demographic patterns, student demand for programs, needs of particular subgroups of the population, implementation of innovative educational techniques and technology, and the requirements of the labor market. The capacity of existing programs, in both public and independent institutions, to respond to identified needs shall be evaluated, and a plan shall be developed to respond efficiently to unmet needs. The master plan shall serve as the basis for the development of strategic plans by the Board of Regents, the State Board of Community Colleges, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. Development of the sector strategic plans shall be initiated following completion of the master plan to ensure coordination in addressing identified needs and strategies throughout postsecondary education.

(3)  Recommend guidelines for the development of institutional roles, review plans of the postsecondary boards and institutions, and relay these plans to the State Board of Education and the Legislature.

(4)  Recommend to the State Board of Education contracts with independent institutions to conduct programs consistent with the state master plan for postsecondary education. In making recommendations, the commission shall consider the annual report submitted by the Board of Regents pursuant to ¹s. 240.209(3)(r). Each program shall be reviewed, with the cooperation of the institution, every 5 years.

(5)  Recommend to the State Board of Education rules concerning the planning and coordination of postsecondary educational programs. These rules shall provide for the sector boards to assure that:

(a)  Program reviews are conducted statewide.

(b)  Every major program in public postsecondary education is reviewed every 5 years.

(c)  Budget requests reflect program review results.

(d)  Program decisions lead to the distinctive roles established for public universities and community colleges.

(6)  Advise the State Board of Education regarding the need for and location of new programs, institutions, campuses, and instructional centers of public postsecondary education.

(7)  Recommend to the State Board of Education for adoption criteria for the establishment of new community colleges and state universities, which criteria shall address:

(a)  Proximity to existing institutions and assessment of the impact on existing institutions.

(b)  Potential program duplication.

(c)  Regional demographic characteristics.

(d)  The efficient use of resources.

(8)  Recommend to the State Board of Education and the Legislature the establishment of additional branch campuses of public postsecondary educational institutions. A branch campus may not be established without a review by the commission and formal authorization by the Legislature. Any community college branch campus established to provide only vocational and technical instruction must be reviewed and recommended again by the commission and receive specific authorization by the Legislature before expanding its instructional offerings to the college parallel program area.

(9)  Review the establishment of those instructional centers which require approval by the Board of Regents or the State Board of Community Colleges.

(10)  Review public postsecondary education budget requests for compliance with the state master plan before submission to the State Board of Education.

(11)  Assist the State Board of Education in the conduct of its postsecondary educational responsibilities in such capacities as the state board deems appropriate.

(12)  Update the state master plan for postsecondary education every 5 years.

(13)  Conduct studies and planning activities related to the overall improvement and effectiveness of postsecondary education in this state.

(14)  Review implementation of the state master plan and annually report to the State Board of Education and the Legislature the progress towards implementation.

(15)  In consultation with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, recommend to the Legislature accountability measures and an accountability process for independent institutions that participate in the Florida resident access grant program. The process shall make use of existing information submitted to the federal and state governments. The process shall provide for an assessment of the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the Florida resident access grant program in providing state residents with access to 4-year college programs and with the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree. The commission shall provide oversight of this accountability process.

(16)  Periodically review the design and implementation of the accountability processes and reports of the State University System, State Community College System, and public and independent postsecondary institutions. At least every 5 years, evaluate the extent to which each plan is contributing to the achievement of state goals for postsecondary education and report to the State Board of Education, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives with recommendations on any changes needed in the accountability process or plans.

History.--ss. 4, 6, ch. 81-162; ss. 1, 4, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 8, ch. 83-325; s. 6, ch. 84-94; s. 27, ch. 89-381; s. 84, ch. 90-201; s. 27, ch. 91-5; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 91-8; s. 4, ch. 91-55; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 21, ch. 94-230; s. 11, ch. 95-243; s. 22, ch. 95-392; s. 25, ch. 97-307.

¹Note.--Redesignated as s. 240.209(3)(s) by s. 4, ch. 94-322.