Tech School bill advances. But do we really know what we're getting?
The Argus Leader is reporting that the bill to create a board for tech schools passed the House. But, are we really prepared for the end result that I think might happen?:
Just as a little bit of historical perspective, I was an intern in the legislature during the (first) time when the battle raged over BHSC, NSC, and Madison fighting to become full fledged universities. I believe it failed once and then passed the next time out, but that's not the point. I vaguely recall that one of the arguments was that while they might be universities in name, they wouldn't be putting doctoral programs in place.
Fast forward twenty years, and guess what? They're starting to add doctoral programs.
Don't get me wrong, they're fine institutions and leaders in their field. But when a legislature promises "that would never happen," Don't believe it. Because not too many years down the line, after a first step in taken in one direction, it's pretty darned easy to travel down that path.
One legislature says it will never happen, and then later, someone says "why aren't we doing that? That's a great idea. It will pay for itself."
In this case, by setting up a separate board, this new panel will want to expand and enhance the programs under their care. They'll be back to the well year after year. And one day we'll wake up and see that we've created a system of junior colleges.
If that's the case, why don't we come out and say that, and then turn it over the the regents? It's not like we need another government board duplicating what one is already doing. And that will be the end result. Junior Colleges and the Junior College board of governance.
Don't believe me? Wait twenty years, and then let's talk.
A bill to create a separate governing board for South Dakota's four technical institutes is headed to the desk of Gov. Mike Rounds.Read that here.
and...
The House voted 50-19 on Wednesday to pass the bill, which would create a state board and four regional boards to govern the institutes.The institutes - in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Mitchell and Rapid City - generally offer one-and two-year education and training to high-school graduates.
"These folks need our help," said Rep. Deb Peters, R-Hartford. "The technical institutes are on the front lines for economic development.''
Just as a little bit of historical perspective, I was an intern in the legislature during the (first) time when the battle raged over BHSC, NSC, and Madison fighting to become full fledged universities. I believe it failed once and then passed the next time out, but that's not the point. I vaguely recall that one of the arguments was that while they might be universities in name, they wouldn't be putting doctoral programs in place.
Fast forward twenty years, and guess what? They're starting to add doctoral programs.
Don't get me wrong, they're fine institutions and leaders in their field. But when a legislature promises "that would never happen," Don't believe it. Because not too many years down the line, after a first step in taken in one direction, it's pretty darned easy to travel down that path.
One legislature says it will never happen, and then later, someone says "why aren't we doing that? That's a great idea. It will pay for itself."
In this case, by setting up a separate board, this new panel will want to expand and enhance the programs under their care. They'll be back to the well year after year. And one day we'll wake up and see that we've created a system of junior colleges.
If that's the case, why don't we come out and say that, and then turn it over the the regents? It's not like we need another government board duplicating what one is already doing. And that will be the end result. Junior Colleges and the Junior College board of governance.
Don't believe me? Wait twenty years, and then let's talk.
Comments
Change them to Comm. college and Tech Schools.......some of the degrees could easily transfer to 4 year schools some should stay were they are at....but right now if a kid wants to get a 2year degree in business and then after a year or two of working would like to go back to school for a 4 year it will take hime three more years instead of just two.....start at tech= 5= years for a BS...start at a university 4+ and out.
This doesnt seem fair to me if they are both state supported.
Only problem is that there's not enough of us conservatives out in Pieerre, which makes a lot of you happy.
Na, never happen?!!
It just makes so much sense to let the Regents run all higher ed institutions, like the Constitution says. The regents wouldn't close the tech schools - they would operate them within their mission. That is what they already do with the universities.
Tech schools exist to provide career and technical education at the associate's degree level - and that is where they should stay. If the Regents operate them, that is where they will stay. But a separate board will keep pushing for more.
That is why the governor opposes this governance bill - he sees that it sets up another state entity to lobby for money - another "hog at the trough."
Mitchell already has a private university of which it is very protective.
Sioux Falls already has a new state university.
Rapid City has two public universities -- Mines and BHSU -- and they are part of a joint approach with WDTI known as the Western Region Higher Education Center.
Also, the regents already have control of the general education courses taught at the tech schools.