College President Speaks to Legislative Subcommittee

COLLEGE PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

The President of Iowa Lakes Community College addressed a legislative subcommittee in Des Moines on Thursday.

Dr. Harold Prior spoke with members of the House and Senate Education Appropriations subcommittee and stressed the critical need for the legislators to approve the State General Aid increase of $12.9 million for the next fiscal year, as recommended by the Iowa Department of Education.

“Our testimony focused on the colleges’ ability to continue to preserve quality program offerings,” said Pres. Prior.

In addition to Pres. Prior, Dr. Penelope Wills (President of Northeast Iowa Community College) and Dr Beverly Simone (President of Southeastern Community College) spoke to the legislators. Dr. Patricia Keir (Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community College District) was scheduled to also speak, but was snowbound in Eastern Iowa.

According to Prior, all three Presidents voiced concern about sharp increases in student tuition for next year, if the Department of Education’s recommendation is not passed.

“Concern was also expressed regarding the elimination of the faculty salary enhancement funding approved last year and not included in any budget recommendations this year,” Pres. Prior added.

The Presidents also explained to the subcommittee that less than the $12.9 State General Aid increase would not provide adequate resources for colleges to establish new programs or expand existing programs with growing enrollments, according to Pres. Prior.

Iowa has 15 community colleges in the state of Iowa which work together as a group through the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) and the Iowa Association of Community College Presidents (IACCP). Iowa Community College graduates help to expand the workforce and contribute to the state economy with 82 percent of graduates remaining in the state of Iowa.

Community colleges are proactive leaders, advocates and partners building sustainable communities through workforce and economic development and the maximization of human potential. The Executive Director of IACCT/IACCP is M.J. Dolan.