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Capitol Update
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Friday, December 13, 2013
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Making the Case for a Rural Regional Community College
Dr. Richard McDowell and I appeared before the House Education Committee this
week to advocate for my legislation to create a rural regional
community college pilot program to serve the 11-county
northwest/northcentral Pennsylvania region.
Dr. McDowell is president emeritus
and associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and
also chairs the Upper Allegheny Education Consortium, which has been
working toward bringing community college services to the region for a
number of years.
In response to a 2011 study by the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, Sen. Joe Scarnati and I
introduced bills in the House and Senate (House Bill 1701 and Senate Bill 1000)
to create the rural regional community college program. My bill awaits
further consideration by the House Education Committee, while Senate
Bill 1000 was approved this week and sent to the full Senate for a vote.
This really is a fairness issue.
Students in rural Pennsylvania need affordable access to the types of
programs and services provided by community colleges in other areas of
the state. And in a region that is struggling like ours – with declining
population, especially among our youth; lower-than-average income; and
shrinking job opportunities – a community college program could be a
catalyst in the effort to rebuild our economy in rural Pennsylvania.
To review the findings of the study, click here. |
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4 comments:
I wonder what type of education you get if it cost 40% less than a PA college? Maybe the price for college needs to be lowered!
community colleges are a great way for students to begin their studies towards a bachelors degree, or even obtain an associates degree. they can offer a wide range of programs for people of all ages, especially those reentering the workforce or just wanting to take classes to better themselves.
poster 5:48 alludes to the cost of college; community colleges are a bargain.
I hope our reps press very hard to make this happen.
The huge building 1/2 empty on main st in coudy would make a good campus.
Be careful, be very very careful on this. DEMAND to know what credits will transfer. Unfortunately, you are forced to take courses other than your core courses that ABSOLUTELY 100% will be a waste of your time and your money if they will not count towards your degree. The cost of a credit hour is way too high to begin with, but spending time and money needlessly is ludicrous. Those "extra" courses are a wonderful source of income for an institution. It is a true waste of your time and money if they don't count towards your degree and the only purpose it serves is keeping a building open and somebody drawing a paycheck!
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