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Public responds during second forum for FSCC's future
Pittsburg State University and Fort Scott Community College administrators are continuing discussions to expand the two higher education institutions' current partnership agreement. The new concept model is being called the Fort Scott Community College of Pittsburg State University.
The process has included public forums in both Pittsburg and Fort Scott. The stated goal of the partnership would be to expand access and opportunities for students while preserving the identity of each institution, according to a power-point presentation by FSCC President Dr. Clayton Tatro at the forum.
The second community forum was Monday evening at FSCC, with about 30 in attendance.
Pittsburg State University had a large group of PSU faculty and staff at the forum on Aug. 28.
"This was a constituent group, a little different (from this community forum at FSCC), faculty, classified staff, unclassified staff. Our view is that the Pittsburg community won't have as much interest as here," PSU President Steve Scott told the Tribune prior to the Monday forum.
"We won't have another one (public forum) until we compile all the info, as we put more meat on the framework. We wanted to produce a framework, get feedback, form more framework and get more feedback. Hopefully, this fall, we'll make some recommendations. But it's important to try and not rush it," Scott said in the interview.
The "we" Scott is referring to is himself and Dr. Tatro.
Over dinner at Chatters Restaurant in Pittsburg last year, Tatro visited with Scott about the idea of PSU and FSCC expanding their partnership.
"I told him 'Yeah, I think that's something we'd like to look at. Let's think about it, build a framework, then go to the community to see what works and what doesn't,'" Scott recalled.
At Monday night's forum, Dr. Tatro told the audience that, "No way, no how, no form...we don't have this figured out. This is meant to be an exploratory process," Tatro said.
"If we were going to strengthen the partnership, we have to have positive outcomes for both (FSCC and PSU)," Tatro continued.
"We are only going to do this if it's good for Fort Scott," Tatro said.
Following the opening remarks, the group viewed a power-point presentation by Tatro, describing the conceptual model criteria and the key model elements. The presentation can be viewed on a newly constructed website: www.pittstate.edu/fscc.
The following is the framework presented to the group:
* There would need to be positive outcomes for both PSU and FSCC.
* There would need to be increased capacity to serve students and communities.
* There would need to be increased efficiencies and benefits.
* There would need to be acceptance by citizens, local and state officials.
* The criteria would need to be a model for the State of Kansas
* Kansas Board of Regents assumes role of governance and supervision.
* PSU assumes responsibility for personnel, finances, facilities and management.
* Oversight and management will be through one (university) president and a senior administrator.
* A locally elected board of trustees would oversee local matters.
* There would be shared best practices across departments and staff, as appropriate.
* There would be aligned policies and procedures.
* There would be a single system for major business functions.
* There would be a seamless student integration system.
* The single developmental education program would be through Fort Scott Community College.
* There would be seamless access to technical programs.
* There would be single enrollment reporting aggregated by PSU.
Also as part of the framework, the Fort Scott faculty, staff and administration would be employees of Pittsburg State University.
The small groups were then asked to discuss the prescribed questions at each table which were the same questions used at the Aug. 29 forum. Additionally they were asked to list what benefits they see in an expanded partnership, what concerns there are about it, and any questions group members might have.
Responses were transcribed onto paper as the groups reported, and will be placed on the website, Scott said.
"One of the top things I hear is identity loss (for FSCC)," Scott said, summing up the groups' comments. "We need to balance concerns about identity loss....and (also) a loss of general education." There was also a point taken about the difference in price for tuition for the two institutions. FSCC has one-half the cost of tuition that PSU does.
"We don't want to give up those two price points," Scott said.
Tatro said that over the next month, the two administrators will take the comments from the forums and "put meat on the bones," he said. Then the two will present information to their respective board of trustees, any actions taken would be by a vote of the trustees. Following that, there will be additional community forums, he said.