ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/5/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Megan Isaak Interim President Gallagher says a community college in Southeastern Idaho would be an independent arm of ISU, operating primarily out of University Place in Idaho Falls.

In Governor Kempthorne's state of the state address in January 2006, Kempthorne said that for "too long we have asked our universities to be all things to all people… I'm presenting a plan that will make community college classes accessible and affordable to more Idahoans. I propose investing $5 million dollars to begin the process of creating a new statewide community college network. My proposal does not call for any new investments in brick and mortar. The community college of the 21st Century, with all of our technological assets and existing infrastructure, does not require a brick and mortar approach."

The Governor, according to his state of the state address, wants to utilize existing facilities and resources in Idaho to meet the state's community college needs.

In his address, the Governor stated that perhaps the cost of secondary education is one of the reasons Idaho, compared to national averages, has so few graduating high school seniors choosing to attend college.

According to ISU Interim President Michael Gallagher, ISU (along with several other centers of education across the state) recently presented a proposal to the Idaho State Board of Education. Under ISU's proposal, a community college in Southeastern Idaho would be an independent arm of ISU, operating primarily out of University Place in Idaho Falls.

ISU would also like to partner its efforts with Eastern Idaho Technical College. The community college would have its own president, but share some of ISU's infrastructure, avoiding duplication of effort and funds, which would save students money. Community colleges, according to Gallagher, would create a more economical secondary education alternative and give students more choices.

Students who chose to complete community college coursework could more affordably complete their first two years of college.

In his address, Kempthorne added that an Idaho community college system would also make college more available to people, statewide.

Continued...

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