HIGHER EDUCATION TO GET VIEW OF STATE TASK FORCE

A statewide task force may help shape the future of higher education in Missouri.

The chairman of the task force, John Lichtenegger of Jackson, said Tuesday that the group will focus on everything from institutional missions to funding for the state's public colleges and universities.

"I think it is going to be very good for higher education," he observed.

Set up by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Task Force on Critical Choices for Higher Education is comprised of representatives of the University of Missouri Board of Curators and boards of regents of the state's public colleges and universities. Lichtenegger is president of the Board of Curators.

Southeast Missouri State University is represented on the task force by Elizabeth Ann Dombrowski, a member of Southeast's Board of Regents. Dombrowski could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The task force is scheduled to hold four meetings: March 26, April 16, May 8 and June 5. All of the meetings will be held in Jefferson City.

The task force will deliver its report to the coordinating board at the board's meeting in Warrensburg on June 26.

Lichtenegger said the task force is unique in that it consists of curators and regents of the public colleges and universities.

"This is the first time ever in the history of the state that the lay leadership of the colleges and universities in the state will have gotten together to even discuss issues of higher education."

In the past, he said, education measures such as Proposition B, the failed tax-and-reform measure, have been developed by state educators and legislators, with "probably not a great deal of input by the lay boards."

Lichtenegger said the task force will allow curators and regents to have a say in improving higher education in Missouri.

The Jackson attorney said he hopes the task force will reach a consensus on what reforms are needed in higher education and develop a plan that could be presented to the state legislature.

"Obviously, if we are going to take the time to meet and discuss critical choices as they are called, and they are, hopefully we would come up with some type of proposal to forward on to the legislature for its consideration."

Lichtenegger said the task force will look at the issue of higher education in the aftermath of last year's defeat of Proposition B.

"Part of what I think prompted this was the failure of Proposition B and the need to address many of those issues that are outlined in that agenda," he said.

The task force is expected to consider three main items:

Institutional missions, including recommendations regarding admission requirements, duplication of programs and accountability.

Funding, including performance and incentive funding, student fees, administrative expenditures and potential cost savings, and the possibility of establishing a special bonding authority to finance needed maintenance and repair projects on college campuses.

Governance, including any recommendations for changes in how higher education is governed in Missouri.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to take a very serious look at all of these choices that are before us in fashioning the direction of higher education into the next decade and the next century," said Lichtenegger.

Reforms and changes are needed in higher education, he said. But he added that colleges and universities in Missouri are already making some changes toward improving education.

Part of the message in the defeat of Proposition B is that voters want more efficiency in higher education before looking to increased state funding, said Lichtenegger.

But he emphasized that the task force is not a vehicle for higher taxes.

Lichtenegger said that he personally believes "higher education is lean and efficient and is producing a remarkable product based on the budget resources that we have. We are producing excellent college graduates."