Report from JBAC telephone conference April 21, 2005
I’m not sure I’m officially “on” JBAC but I was sent an e-mail with an agenda, a phone number and the all-important access code so I participated in the conference on behalf of IFS. The “meeting” was short and focused mainly on current legislative activity, the AA-OT, the OTM and planning for upcoming meetings.
Legislative activity focused on SB 342 (the “Transfer Bill”), SB 300, and HB 2919 which is the companion bill to SB 300. There was concern that SB 342 might have a fiscal impact of up to $900,000 as it is currently worded. [Note: SB 342 and SB 300 were discussed at our April IFS meeting so I am not providing any further details here.]
It was suggested that in light of the OTM it might be time to review the AA-OT to see if any revisions are appropriate. At a minimum, it was suggested that the headings or course categories should be the same for the AA-OT and the OTM. The AA-OT was last updated on June 27, 2003. Dave McDonald suggested that any changes to the AA-OT should wait until SB 342 is finalized.
Discussion about the OTM focused on two issues:
1. There appear to be a number of unanswered questions regarding implementation that need to be settled.
2. A report will need to be made in two years regarding the success of the OTM. In light of this, we need to establish measurable criteria. This was put on the agenda for the next JBAC meeting.
The Articulation and Transfer Conference, previously held in December, will be moved to February in Portland and will be combined with the Student Success Conference.
Elaine Yandle-Roth reported that she will attend the May 13th meeting of the Oregon Business Department Chairs and Deans where the AS/OT-Business degree will be a topic of discussion. Central Oregon Community College and Lane Community College have approved the degree. [At least 8 community colleges now offer the degree; Elaine will include a list of all community colleges offering the degree when the minutes from this meeting are sent out.]
There will be no May meeting. The next meeting will be June 8th, 1:30-4PM, likely in Portland.
Submitted by: Maureen Sevigny, April 25, 2005