Katie Schultz

News Editor

A bill that would eliminate the limits placed on the number of graduate programs at Mesa State College, passed the Senate education committee on Feb. 25.

Senate bill 79, sponsored by State Senator Josh Penry, would remove the jargon that restricts the type of programs that MSC can offer. The bill would amend the role and mission of MSC to include additional liberal arts and sciences, professional, and technical degree programs at the undergraduate and the graduate level. 

“It seems time to make changes that reflect who we are and what we are doing,” said Dana Nunn, MSC media relation director. 

According to President Tim Foster, passing this bill would benefit students who can’t travel long distances. 

For example, a working mother who lives in Grand Junction may not have time to drive back and forth over the mountains to other colleges that offer more graduate programs in order to receive her degree. Passage would allow MSC to offer more programs on the Western Slope, providing different opportunities for those seeking a Masters degree. 

The main concern brought up in the General Assembly was the fact that MSC did not propose this to the Commission of Higher Education first. Rico Munn, executive director of Colorado Department of Higher Education, opposed the bill for this reason. If the bill passes, he believes, it would cause too much duplication in programs among the four year higher education institutions in Colorado. 

Yet, Foster, Penry and Board of Trustee member, Doug Price, believe that this would not be a problem because of regional and geographical distances separating higher education institutions of Colorado.

The bill passed five to two and will continue on to the Colorado Senate and then the Colorado House. 

MSC currently offers graduate programs in business and education.