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Minutes for HB2290 - Committee on Higher Education Budget
Short Title
Authorizing the affiliation of northwest Kansas technical college and north central Kansas technical college with Fort Hays state university.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 21, 2023
Chairman Howe opened a hearing on HB2290.
Jill Wolters briefed the Committee on HB2290. (Attachment 2) She stood for questions.
Dr. Mason testified in support of HB2290 by stating this bill will "better serve our students, businesses, and communities through a voluntary affiliation model designed to closer align our three institutions as we explore new educational delivery models". (Attachment 3)
Eric Burks testified in support of HB2290 by stating "why now? Rural Kansas is under significant demographic and economic pressures that require innovative strategies in which education plays an essential role". "Rural populations are shrinking." (Attachment 3)
Ben Schears testified in support of HB2290 by stating "what we are proposing is a natural progression of a process of integrating technical colleges and regional partners that has been going on for decades". (Attachment 3)
After Mason, Burks and Schears completed their joint testimony, they stood for questions.
Dr. Utash testified in support of HB2290 by stating "the affiliation between Wichita State University and WSU Tech . . . has improved and enhanced synergies of co-enrollment, technical education, completion with job placement and continued higher education". (Attachment 4) She stood for questions.
Dr. Flanders testified in support of HB2290 by stating "our system has had several successful affiliations - Washburn University and the Washburn Institute of Technology and Wichita State University and WSU Tech. This affiliation will further bolster the longstanding partnership already in place between these institutions and improve access and opportunities for these students." (Attachment 5) He stood for questions.
Written only testimony in support of HB2290 was provided by: Sarah Wasinger, The Chamber in Hays (Attachment 6); Mason Ruder, Mayor of Hays (Attachment 7); Eric Stafford, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 8); and Mark Hess, Hess Services Inc. (Attachment 9).
When all questions by the Committee were answered, Chairman Howe closed the hearing on HB2290.
