New KCTCS Board takes control of Kentucky community colleges
by Christy M. Grubb
On January 14, 1998, the “parent-child relationship” between the University of Kentucky and the Community College System came to an end as the Board of Regents of the newly formed Kentucky Community College and Technical College System, or KTCTS, voted to take over the management of the 13 community colleges. Among the many people at this event was the man behind the action, Governor Paul Patton.
Via video-conference from Frankfort, Governor Patton stated “I’m excited that we’re seeing real progress in the development of a community-based education system that will effectively serve Kentucky’s communities.”
Under Patton’s plan, the Community Colleges were stripped from the University of Kentucky and joined with Kentucky’s Technical Schools. In doing so, Patton plans on improving the collaboration among the community colleges and the 25 Kentucky Tech post-secondary technical schools. So the plan would be equal on all sides, Patton suggested strengthening the research programs at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, making them capable of competing nationally. Patton’s goal for all of these changes was to make obtaining a four-year baccalaureate degree accessible to every student in the state.
To head up this new system, the Governor called in educators and supports to comprise a new governing body. Comprising the new governing body are eight regents were selected by the Governor, four nominated by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees and four by the Governor’s post secondary Education Nominating Commission, as well as student, faculty, and staff representatives from both the community colleges and the technical schools. Martha C. Johnson was named the Board of Regents Chairman, while James R. Ramsey was named Interim President. In addition to being Interim President, Ramsey serves as state budget directer. Ramsey also appointed two others to leadership positions: Jack Moreland as interim chancellor of the Technical Institutions Branch and Tony Newberry as interim chancellor of UKCCS, replacing Harlan County native Ben W. Carr, Jr., who resigned to take a position with the main campus of UK.
Although this date marked a definite victory for Patton and his supporters, it did not come without a major battle. Many Kentucky Community College students were outraged by the Governor’s Plan, and Patton dealt with a sometimes hostile crowd when promoting his education plan at Southeast’s Cumberland Campus last April. Many students felt as though they were paying for University of Kentucky degrees and were not happy at the thought of earning Technical Degrees. Some viewed this action as a political move, which prompted many letters and phone calls to state representatives and senators.
A compromise between the Governor and UK was eventually reached last May. Under this new plan, the community college students retain all the rights and privileges of University of Kentucky students. This plan authorizes UK to monitor program quality and to continue providing library, financial aid and other services for a fee. Additionally, certain degrees will carry the University of Kentucky name.
How are SECC students reacting to these changes? Andrea Shields, a first year history major, said, “I regret the Governor got this far. We want to be UK students, and I don’t see how he succeeded in his plan.”
Not all students felt this way, though. Many feel that Patton has many good ideas and plans for the future of our colleges and are waiting to see how these ideas will work.
SECC tallies another enrollment decrease
by Brent R. Deal
This spring semester of 1998, Southeast Community College has registered 2,081 students, a small decline from the spring semester of 1997, in which the college registered 2,193 students, according to Southeast registrar, Karin Gibson.
“This is not a significant decline from the year before, considering the loss of jobs in the mining industry and around the Tri-Cities,” Gibson says. She forecasts that “enrollment is leveling off and will remain about the same until the area’s work force population increases.”
With the enrollment of 2,081 students two-thirds of the students are female and one-third are male. Out of the 2081 students, 1,240 students, over half of the total, are from off campus sites, according to Gibson. The full time enrollment, also known as F.T.E., has not yet been released.
Broken down into individual campuses, the Bell Co. campus has 857 students; the Cumberland campus has 773; and the Whitesburg campus has 451 students on the enrollment sheet
By Loretta Risner
Eleven young women will vie for the title of Miss Southeast Community College on Sat., Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Appalachian Center Theater on the Cumberland campus.
According to Cookie Baker, Admissions Director and coordinator of the event, the rules from the pageant come from Pineville's Mountain Laurel Festival, in which Miss SECC represents the college every May.
"Back in 1983, the rules did not apply-you only had to be a full-time student at Southeast," said Baker. "Now we have to follow the rules of the Mountain Laurel Festival so that our winner may compete."
The winner will also receive a full tuition scholarship and will represent SECC in the University of Kentucky Homecoming festivities in Lexington in the fall.
Contestants will be judged on competition in the following areas: interview, evening gown, talent and on-stage question.
This year's contestants are:
The rules are as follows