Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

Dr. Michael Baumgartner, Executive Director - 402-471-0020, mike.baumgartner@nebraska.gov

The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education was created to bring a statewide perspective to decision-making and planning for Nebraska's higher education system. The Coordinating Commission balances the best interests of taxpayers, students and Nebraska's postsecondary institutions. The Coordinating Commissions responsibilities include: Creating and putting into action a comprehensive statewide plan to guide Nebraskas higher education system Partnering with Legislators to develop innovative and results-driven higher education policy Helping low-income Nebraska students attend college by awarding need-based financial aid and developing state financial aid strategy Administering the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which offers financial aid to students who want to work in high-need fields Ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer funds by approving or disapproving postsecondary construction projects that rely on tax funds Reviewing public college and university budget requests for compliance with the statewide comprehensive plan and making recommendations to the Legislature and Governor Approving or disapproving academic programs based on specific criteria Authorizing the operation of out-of-state postsecondary institutions in Nebraska and providing consumer protection for students enrolled in postsecondary education programs in Nebraska Assembling and analyzing statewide data and publishing reports tied to the states higher education goals Administering State appropriations to Nebraskas six community colleges Helping teachers and underserved populations through the administration of federal education grants Administering a nationwide distance learning agreement on behalf of the state that saves Nebraska colleges and universities thousands of dollars each year

Approximately 1.1 million (est. 2015 Nebraska population ages 18-64)

Approximately 190,000 (Total enrollment of state postsecondary institutions plus number of high school students receiving Access College Early scholarships)

Originally created by the 1976 Nebraska Legislature, the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education was given constitutional authority by Nebraska voters in the 1990 general election to coordinate the activities of Nebraskas public postsecondary

1992

None

Article VII-14 of the Nebraska Constitution; Neb. Rev. Stat. 85-1401 et. Seq.

NA

Eleven commissioners

Governor

Yes, a majority

One member shall be chosen from each of the six Supreme Court judicial districts. Five members shall be chosen on a statewide, at-large basis.

No

Yes

Six years

Terms Rotate

Six

Eight

Six

Nine

Six

Seven

12.5

NA

$1,341,128

$1,352,660

$1,424,948

None for operation budget

The Commissions spending authority is granted through Legislative appropriations to various budgetary programs in order to carry out the duties listed in the State Constitution and statutes. This spending authority is for the general administration of the

Existing Programs Review: The Commission is constitutionally required to review, monitor and approve or disapprove each public institutions existing and proposed new academic programs to provide compliance with the Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education and to prevent unnecessary duplication. Between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2016, the Commission reviewed 982 existing programs. Of those, 743 were approved, 12 were referred to the institutions for further review or additional information, and 227 were discontinued by the institutions. The Commission also reviewed 119 program assessments that had previously been returned to the originating institutions.Approval of Proposed New Academic Programs: During the past four years, the Commission reviewed and approved 72 proposals for new academic programs and organizational units at public institutions. Another 178 proposed programs were reviewed and determined to be reasonable and moderate extensions of existing programs, thus requiring no action by the Commission.Approval of Out-of-State Institutions: The Coordinating Commission is required to approve out-of-state institutions wanting to operate in Nebraska. The Commission approved two out-of-state institutions to operate in Nebraska. In April 2013, the University of South Dakota was approved to offer a Master of Arts in Speech-Pathology, Reading Recovery (three graduate courses), and Science, Culture and History of the Missouri River (one undergraduate course). In 2016 the Commission also approved Hope International University to operate in Nebraska, with a campus in Papillion. Capital ConstructionFacilities: The Commission currently has two major responsibilities related to capital construction projects at public postsecondary education institutions, as well as one responsibility that was removed from statute in 2014.The first responsibility is to review, monitor and approve or disapprove capital construction projects that use more than $2 million in tax funds to construct facilities, or more than $90,000 per year in tax funds to operate and maintain. Disapproved projects cannot receive state funds for construction or ongoing operating and maintenance costs. From July 1, 2012, through July 1, 2016, the Commission reviewed 19 capital construction project proposals by the institutions. Of these requests, one proposal was revised to reduce the size of the facility by 13,636 gross square feet, which resulted in a $3,735,600 reduction in its state appropriation request.The second responsibility is to review the biennial capital construction requests of the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and the Nebraska State College System. With its statewide perspective, the Commission provides a unified prioritization of all approved capital construction requests. The Commission makes these recommendations to the Governor and Legislature at the same time it makes recommendations on biennial operating budget requests. The Commission recommends a list, in priority order, of approved capital construction projects eligible for state funding. Only those projects that were approved by the governing boards and the Commission and are requesting state funding in the biennial budget request are considered. The Commission identified ongoing routine maintenance and addressing deferred repair as statewide facilities priorities for both the 2013-15 and 2015-17 biennium. A third responsibility was to review revenue bond projects and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding their approval or disapproval. There were four revenue bonds proposals submitted from July 2012 until 2014, when LB 546, passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor during the 2014 session, removed the Commission from this process.Budget Review and Recommendations: The Commission has constitutional responsibility to review and modify the biennial budget requests of Nebraskas public postsecondary institutions and make recommendations on those requests to the Governor and Legislature. Through this review, the Commission can assure consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and promote effective use of state funds in support of public postsecondary education in Nebraska. The Commission reviews budgets and makes its recommendations in October of every even-numbered year.In fall 2012, the Commission reviewed 43 requests for additional state funding from the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis, the Nebraska State College System and the community colleges. Of those 43 requests, 16 requests were for new or expanding funding. For those, the Commission: Strongly recommended new general funds for two requests. Recommended new general funds for six requests. Recommended some new general funds for three requests. Recommended no new general funds for three requests. Recommended alternate funding for one request. Recommended funding be appropriated to an already established program for one request. In addition, there were 12 requests that were part of the continuation budget recommendation, and 12 requests for new building openings. The total dollars for institutional continuation costs and new and expanded requests, was $42,664,510 for the biennium. In fall 2014, the Commission reviewed 56 requests for additional state funding from the University of Nebraska System, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis, the Nebraska State College System and the community colleges.Of those 56 requests, 27 requests were for new or expanding funding. For those, the Commission: Strongly recommended new general funds for none of the requests. Recommended new general funds for twenty requests. Recommended some new general funds for three requests. Recommended no new general funds for three requests. Recommended funding be appropriated to an already established program for one request. In addition, there were 15 requests that were part of the continuation budget recommendation, and fourteen requests for new building openings. The total dollars for institutional continuation costs and new and expanded requests, was $72,706,453 for the biennium.Financial Aid: Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program The Commission administers the ACE program, which awards scholarships to low-income high school students enrolled in a college course at a participating public or private postsecondary institution. ACE funds awarded and # of students served: 2012-2013: $813,760; 1,705 students2013-2014: $921,071; 1,866 students2014-2015: $953,595; 1,919 students2015-2016: $815,955; 1,897 recipientsNebraska Opportunity Grant The Commission administers the Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG), which is awarded to students in consultation with financial aid administrators at Nebraskas postsecondary institutions. These grants are awarded to students who are residents of Nebraska, attend a Nebraska postsecondary institution, and a have a minimum Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). NOG funds awarded and students served2012-2013: $15,185,498; 15,757 students2013-2014: $16,419,718; 15,944 students2014-2015: $16,455,272; 15,943 students2015-2016: Final numbers not yet availableACE Plus Scholarship Program The Commission initiated the ACE Plus Scholarship Program in 2010 with the first year of awards in academic year 2011-2012. The program was discontinued after the 2015-16 academic year, as the federal grant that funded the program was no longer available. The ACE Plus program provided assistance to first- and second-year college students who were ACE scholarship recipients prior to graduating from high school. ACE Plus funds awarded and students served2012-2013: $269,750; 394 students2013-2014: $260,500; 351 students2014-2015: $283,000; 377 students2015-2016: $242,500; 327 studentsCommunity College Gap Assistance Program In 2015, the Legislature gave authority to the Coordinating Commission to administer the Community College Gap Assistance Program, which had a formal start date of July 1, 2016. Through lottery funds, this program will receive roughly $1.4 million annually. These funds will be distributed to the states six community colleges, which will recruit and select eligible low-income students in eligible programs to receive grants.Reports and Analysis: The Commission published the following reports and analyses between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2016:Nebraska Higher Education Progress Report (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)A Factual Look at Higher Education in Nebraska (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid Report (2012, 2014)Postsecondary Education Operating Budget Recommendations (2012, 2014)Capital Construction Budget Recommendations and Prioritization (2012, 2014)Delivering Courses Beyond Campus Walls (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Estimated College Continuation Rates for Nebraska Public High Schools (2013, 2014, 2015)Biennial Report (2012, 2014)Education Committee hearing on postsecondary affordability (2015)Access College Early scholarship program year-end report (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Nebraska Opportunity Grant year-end report (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)2015 Supplemental Forms Report on Enrollment, Tuition & Fees, and Financial Aid (2016)Peer Reports for Nebraska Public Postsecondary Institutions (2014, 2015)Operational Projects and Accomplishments:College Access Challenge Grant The Coordinating Commission acted as the States administrator of the federal College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACG), which ended in 2015. The CACG was a five-year formula grant program designed to increase the number of underrepresented students who enter and remain in postsecondary education. In FY 2014, the Coordinating Commission received $1.4 million in grant funds from the CACG. The Commission used these funds to support many Nebraska groups and initiatives, including: the Access College Early grant program; the ACE Plus scholarship program; Central Plains Center for Services, in western Nebraska; Omaha Public Schools; EducationQuest Foundation, based in Lincoln; Ho-Chunk Community Development Corp., which is affiliated with the Winnebago Tribe; Nebraska Methodist College; Valentine Public High School; Scottsbluff Public High School; and Chase County Public Schools.Improving Teacher Quality state grant program The Commission continues to award Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ) state grants to Nebraska's innovative leaders in education. The grants are funded under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as the No Child Left Behind Act (Title IIA). Grants are not awarded to individuals, but to partnerships formed by local, high-need educational agencies and a Nebraska college or university. These partnerships design and produce professional development activities to improve the skills of K-12 teachers, paraprofessionals and principals. For 2012-13, a review panel awarded funding for one project in science, one mathematical communication, one in technology, and one in writing. The total amount of funds available for awards in 2012-13 was $283,552. The total amount awarded for the four chosen projects was $284,327. The additional money came from funds not awarded in 2011-12. For 2013-14, a review panel selected funding for one project in STEM, one in history, one in earth science, and one in mathematics. The total amount of funds available for awards in 2013-14 was $294,145. The total amount awarded for the four chosen projects was $298,638. The additional money awarded came from unused funds from the previous year. For 2014-15, a review panel selected funding for two projects in mathematics, one in world languages, two in social studies, and one in STEM. The total amount of funds available to Nebraska for awards in 2014-15 was $275,855. The total amount awarded for the six projects that received funding was $276,114. The additional money awarded came from unused funds the previous year. For 2015-16, a review panel awarded funding for one project in writing, one in mathematics, one in engineering, and one in science. The total amount of funds available to Nebraska for awards in 2015-16 was $293,324. The total amount awarded for the four projects that received funding was $252,522. The remaining funds were made available for projects that may had more participant applicants that slots funded or other unexpected costs. Oral Health Training and Services Fund In 2015, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law LB 661, which established the Oral Health Training and Services Fund. The legislation calls on the Coordinating Commission to administer the fund and contract with postsecondary dental institutions for up to $8 million in services, with the state requiring a match of 4:1 from non-state sources; i.e., up to $32 million in matching contributions. The commission began work on a Request For Proposals in 2015, which was released in July 2016. Funds are expected to be awarded in early 2017.Updating of Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education Article VII, Section 14 of the Nebraska Constitution gives the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education the authority to adopt, and revise as needed, a comprehensive plan for postsecondary education. The authority to adopt and revise a comprehensive plan is further elaborated in Neb. Rev. Stat. 85-1404. The Commission began the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan in 2015, working closely with the states postsecondary institutions and other stakeholders to revise Chapter One and establish measurable goals.FAFSA Completion Initiative - In 2015, the Coordinating Commission began leading an effort in Nebraska to encourage more high school students to apply for federal financial aid to attend college. As part of the U.S. Department of Educations new FAFSA Completion Initiative, the Commission can provide certain designated entities typically high schools with limited data about students progress in completing and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA Initiative will enable the designated entities to better target counseling, help with completing the FAFSA, and other resources to those students. Identifying such students can promote college access and success by ensuring students, particularly low-income students, have access to financial aid. The Commission received funding from the Legislature in 2015 for the implementation of the initiatives software. Updating of peer institutions In 2014 and 2015, the Coordinating Commission approved updated peer groups for all of the states 13 public postsecondary institutions. The states Comprehensive Statewide Plan for Postsecondary Education requires the Commission to provide a list of peer institutions for each of the states public postsecondary institutions. The Commission uses these peer groups for budget and academic program review, as well as for other comparisons that aid in Commission decision-making. Peer institutions are defined as those similar in mission, programs, size, students, wealth, etc., and are used to establish basic central tendencies. The Commission worked closely with the institutions to establish the updated peer groups.Multi-State Collaborative on Military Credit - The Coordinating Commission is leading Nebraskas work as part of a 13-state initiative to help military service members, veterans, and their families overcome barriers to earning postsecondary credentials and entering the workforce. The Multi-State Collaborative on Military Credit (MCMC), which aims to, among other things, identify effective policies and best practices that can be shared among participating states. Volunteers from state agencies, university systems, college campuses, and other organizations have been working together as part of the initiative. The Coordinating Commission has served as the MCMC facilitator in Nebraska, with a staff member serving on the MCMC steering committee.State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement - The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a national council and administered by four regional education compacts. Nebraska was accepted as part of SARA in 2014. The Coordinating Commission is the states portal agency for the initiative, meaning Nebraska institutions apply to the Commission to participate. As of July 1, 2016, 24 Nebraska colleges and universities had joined SARA.