2024 Boards and Commissions

Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

General Information

Formal Name:Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Contact Person:Mike Baumgartner
Purpose:The purposes of the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education established by Article VII, section 14, of the Constitution of Nebraska and section 85-1403 are to (1) develop an ongoing comprehensive statewide plan for the operation of an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, progressive, and coordinated system of postsecondary education, (2) identify and enact policies to meet the educational, research, and public service needs of the state, and (3) effect the best use of available resources through the elimination of unnecessary duplication of programs and facilities among Nebraska's public institutions. The Commission must approve or disapprove all new academic programs and tax-funded facilities at public postsecondary institutions; review all academic programs on a seven-year cycle; review capital and operating budget requests; and collect data and generate reports related to postsecondary education. In addition, the Commission administers the Community College Aid Act and the Community College Future Fund, administers nine state-funded student financial aid and forgivable loan programs, and authorizes the operation of new and out-of-state postsecondary educational institutions seeking to operate in Nebraska.
How Many Affectable:14 public and 31 private or out-of-state postsecondary educational institutions; Nebraska postsecondary institutions enroll about 175,000 students annually
How Many Served:For FY 24, all postsecondary educational institutions; 13,507 Nebraska Opportunity Grant recipients, 2,627 ACE Scholarship recipients, 499 CC Gap Assistance Program participants.
Year Created:1990
Year Active:1992
Sunset Date:none

Authorization

Authorization Citation:Nebraska Constitution Article VII-14; Neb. Rev. Stat. 85-1401 to 85-1429
Parent Agency:none

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:11
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes, a majority of senators must approve each appointment.
Qualifications Of Members:One member from each of the six Supreme Court judicial districts and five at-large members. Members shall be residents of the state or district they represent. No member or member of herhis immediate family may serve on or be employed by a governing board of a public institution or an independent or private university or college.
Per Diem:no
Expense Reimbursement:yes
Term Length:Six years
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 21-22:at least six
Held FY 21-22:six
Required FY 22-23:at least six
Held FY 22-23:seven
Required FY 23-24:at least six
Held FY 23-24:six

Operations

Support Staff:10
Shared or Separate:separate
FY 21-22 Budget:$1,421,696 operating; $22,948,302 NOG; $2,152,073 CC Gap Assistance; $1,254,465 Access College Early Scholarship
FY 22-23 Budget:$1,565,140 operating; $24,221,689 NOG; $3,174,036 CC Gap Assistance; $1,779,127 Access College Early Scholarship; $8,021,026 Community College ARPA
FY 23-24 Budget:$1,562,882 operating; $24,448,302 NOG; $2,002,714 CC Gap Assistance; $1,566,872 Access College Early Scholarship; $37,923,704 Community College ARPA
Other Funding Sources:Application fees charged to new and out-of-state institutions applying for authorization to operate in Nebraska bring in about $14,000 per year.
Spending Authority:Operating and aid program are appropriated directly to Agency 48. Community college aid is appropriated through Agency 83, which is administered by the Commission.

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2020:Neb. Rev. Stat. 85-1412 (9) requires that on or before December 1 of each even-numbered year, the Commission submit to the Legislature and the Governor a report of its objectives and activities and any new private colleges in Nebraska and the implementation of any recommendations of the commission for the preceding two calendar years. The report submitted to the Legislature shall be submitted electronically.Please see the 2024, 2022, and 202 reports at the following locations:https:www.nebraskalegislature.govFloorDocs108PDFAgenciesCoordinatingCommissionforPostsecondaryEducation25920241122-081716.pdfhttps:www.nebraskalegislature.govFloorDocs107PDFAgenciesCoordinatingCommissionforPostsecondaryEducation25920221122-101833.pdfhttps:www.nebraskalegislature.govFloorDocs106PDFAgenciesCoordinatingCommissionforPostsecondaryEducation25920201124-163435.pdf