HF 2787

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 11:32pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; allowing technical colleges to offer associate of arts
degrees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 135A.052, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 135A.052, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:

Subdivision 1.

Statement of missions.

(a) The legislature recognizes each type of
public postsecondary institution to have a distinctive mission within the overall provision
of public higher education in the state and a responsibility to cooperate with each other.
These missions are as follows:

(1) the technical colleges shall offer vocational training and education to prepare
students for skilled occupations that do not require a baccalaureate degree new text begin and may offer
associate of arts degrees in liberal arts new text end ;

(2) the community colleges shall offer lower division instruction in academic
programs, occupational programs in which all credits earned will be accepted for transfer
to a baccalaureate degree in the same field of study, and remedial studies, for students
transferring to baccalaureate institutions and for those seeking associate degrees;

(3) consolidated community technical colleges shall offer the same types of
instruction, programs, certificates, diplomas, and degrees as the technical colleges and
community colleges offer;

(4) the state universities shall offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through
the master's degree, including specialist certificates, in the liberal arts and sciences and
professional education, and may offer applied doctoral degrees in education, business,
psychology, physical therapy, audiology, and nursing; and

(5) the University of Minnesota shall offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional
instruction through the doctoral degree, and shall be the primary state supported academic
agency for research and extension services.

(b) It is part of the mission of each system that within the system's resources the
system's governing board and chancellor or president shall endeavor to:

(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;

(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's
resources and operate the system as efficiently as possible;

(3) coordinate the system's activities wherever appropriate with the activities of the
other system and governmental agencies;

(4) use technology where appropriate to increase system productivity, improve
customer service, increase public access to information about the system, and increase
public participation in the business of the system;

(5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent
otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A; and

(6) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out
the mission of the system.