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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 64
(By Delegates Mezzatesta and Williams)
(Originating in the Committee on Education)
[February 28, 2001]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to
retain the National Center for Higher Education Management
Systems (NCHEMS), to conduct a comprehensive study of the
state higher education system, and its progress in
developing, focusing and improving the system since the
enactment of Senate Bill 653, 2000 Regular Session.
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Whereas, The enactment of Senate Bill 547, 1995 Regular
Session, established five-year goals for higher education in West
Virginia.
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Whereas, The enactment of House Bill 3019, 1999 Regular
Session, required a comprehensive study of higher education to be
conducted, and NCHEMS was retained by the Legislature to conduct
that study.
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Whereas, Following several months of study and public
hearings throughout the state, the NCHEMS study produced alarming
findings and compelling recommendations for consideration by the
Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and the Legislature.
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Whereas, The Legislature enacted Senate Bill 653, Regular
Session 2000, based primarily on the findings, conclusions and
recommendations of the NCHEMS study.
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Whereas, Senate Bill 653 altered the governance structure of
higher education, and required a focus on services to citizens of
the state rather than policies and procedures of institutions.
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Whereas, A new governance and policy structure were
instituted and a chancellor for higher education was employed in
2001.
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Whereas, Significant variances have since occurred in many
areas as stipulated by Senate Bill 653, and other variances are
currently being contemplated including tuition and fee policy,
peer allocation, and separation of policy established by the
higher education policy commission from governance by
institutional governing boards.
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Whereas, Fiscal year 2002-2003 will mark the second year of
the six-year Compact With Higher Education for the Future of West
Virginia, as prescribed by Senate Bill 653, and it is therefore
time to reengage NCHEMS to evaluate the progress of the state
higher education system and its institutions in achieving the
Goals for Postsecondary Education established in Senate Bill 653.
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WHEREAS,
This evaluation is necessary for the Legislature to
determine the level of progress, and whether the system and its
institutions are making appropriate and adequate progress, toward
meeting the Goals; determine whether redirection of focus or
effort is necessary for institutions, presidents, governing
boards, the policy commission or the chancellor; and identify
aspects of implementation that have achieved or are achieving the
desired results and do not require modification.
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WHEREAS,
The Legislature finds that enacting significant,
uncoordinated modifications to the higher education system or any
of its components is premature absent a detailed, independent
analysis by the entity on whose recommendations the goals and
objectives of Senate Bill 653 were based.
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WHEREAS,
Any significant change affecting funding, tuition and
fees, peers, governance, and any other aspect of the Compact
should by delayed until a comprehensive evaluation by NCHEMS has
been completed, and conclusions and recommendations have been
reported to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education
Accountability and the Joint Standing Committees on Finance and
Education.
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WHEREAS,
The review study shall be coordinated and monitored
by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability or a subcommittee thereof, and shall be completed
with recommendations reported by November 1, 2002; and
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Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
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That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to retain the National Center for Higher Education
Management Systems to conduct a comprehensive study of the state
higher education system, and its progress in developing, focusing
and improving the system since the enactment of Senate Bill 653,
2000 Regular Session.
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Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission
on Education Accountability report to the 2003 Regular Session of
the Legislature, on the findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation
necessary to effectuate the recommendations; and, be it
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Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to retain the
National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, to
conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance.