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Derrick S. Evans Georgia Southern University Ethics & Political Reflection Paper: Evolution or Mission Creep?

2 Ethics & Political Reflection Paper: Evolution or Mission Creep?

Summary In a recent article, Evolution or Mission Creep, Paul Fain details Michigans recent approval of allowing its community colleges to offer bachelors degree programs in technical and applied science fields which are deemed as high demand fields. Joining twenty other states, Michigan is just one more state in a line of succession to be challenging the establishment in an effort to allow more opportunities for students in local community college but the practices remains controversial despites it rapid expansion (Fain, 2013, para. 2). Each side is represented in how the addition will impact their respective system with the community colleges embracing the approval to fill voids which are clearly not being addressed in technical and applied science programs. On the opposite perspective, four year institution feel the addition as direct competition which contradicts the community colleges mission but as Fain notes there is also those who express little concern. Michigans public universities remain skeptical that four year degrees from community colleges will be in response to actual demand, particularly because the universities had pledged to offer needed degree programs on community college campuses or at shared regional centers.(Fain, 2013) Michigan is merely following it predecessors in its apprehension as Fain points out fears have not materialized in Florida, who introduced bachelors degree programs in their community colleges in 2001, as once expected during the controversial introduction (Fain, 2013, para. 8). Once offered, the bachelors degrees in community colleges appear to be focused in areas which

3 are not in direct competition, but address needed areas which are not provided by four year institutions. Reflection As the nation moves to providing increased access to education, allowing community colleges to offer additional degrees can be of great benefit. Withholding offerings as not to cross territorial lines or jeopardizing relationships puts political motive ahead of the intend goals of higher education. The traditional view of a community college is their place in the education hierarchy is to offer associate programs which prepare students for transferring to four year institutes or offer work force development related degrees. Although gaining approval to offer bachelor degrees in high demand programs, Pandoras boxes appears to be open for further expansion. My overall assessment is to agree with allowing community colleges to provide programs which further expand educational opportunities for the student body, but it does come with some reservation though. Higher education has become a fight for survival as many community colleges systems are overseen by a different governing body than their four year counterparts and go head to head for state funding, with the four year institution often coming out on top. Competition also exists in some instances where student have multiple options to attend, but in many rural areas across the country students are limited in educational access unless they can relocate or travel long distances. In the article Fain presents each side of the fence in a balanced manner by offering multiple statements and references from each perspective. What was omitted from the article was the mention that associates degrees are offered in the four year universities in the state of Michigan. Currently Michigan State University offers an Associate Degree in Landscape and

4 Lawn Management and Applied Plant Sciences which competes with other community colleges (MSU.edu). Implications The addition of four year degree programs in community colleges is gaining popularity and will continue to cause friction among those for and against the mission infringement. The article provides an opportunity to be exposed to both sides of the argument and in a manner which reflects each aspect of the impact to institution as well as students. Working in the Technical College System of Georgia, at a college who is trying to gain approval to offer an associate of science degree, we are experiencing similar resistance from the University System of Georgia as it would directly compete with two year colleges in our service area. Resistance has also been felt in the political area as the University System of Georgia tends to have more support which can also come into play when trying to gain support. Although I am not a part of the efforts to gain approval to offer the associates of science, I do routinely meet with colleges to discuss articulation agreements with technical programs in my area. Knowledge of the concerns four year institution have with community colleges will afford me the opportunity to be aware of how our role is perceived by both University System of Georgia and elected officials who are invested in higher education.

References Fain, P. (2013) Evolution or mission creep? Inside Higher Ed, Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/22/michigan-lets-community-collegesissue-four-year-degrees-amid-controversy Michigan State University (2013). Directory of academic websites (a-z). Retrieved from http://msu.edu/academics/directory-academic-websites.html