Can you have too many educational programs in higher ed? Does a new program in academia have to clear many hurdles in to be considered both needed and valid? Finally, is there a group of educators in our State charged with approving new programs?
The answers are yes, yes and yes. But Governor Morrisey’s announcement in Chester this week adds a caveat to my statement…….unless you are the Governor of West Virginia and the majority leader of the House of Delegates. Then the rules that apply to all the educational institutions don’t apply to you.
I spent eight years in higher education and represented WVNCC on the Board of Regents, so I know there’s a set process to deem a new program needed including a needs assessment.
So when the Governor did a ceremonial signing of HB 3297, establishing the Washinton Center for Civics at West Virginia University in Chester, I was pretty puzzled. Why would you bring a such a program to a university who had just gone through the process of cutting 28 majors and reduced nearly 300 employees. But, when Governor Morrisey announced he was giving the program $1.5 million in surplus funds, I was appalled.
The legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Pat McGeehan subverts the required process any other program must go through. And while WVU was losing 28 majors, a program had slid through the back door as an unfunded mandate. Everyone knows WVU does not have the funding to implement a new program. But then in another sleight of hand, Gov. Morrisey came up with $1.5 million in surplus revenue..
Effective July 1, the Washington Center will have a director, chosen by the Governor, and five full-time faculty.
One wonders what fund pays the director and faculties’ salaries after year one. Does the Governor plan on finding money in the surplus funds each year to fund the program.’ Will the number of students enrolled in the program generate sufficient revenue for State funding?
WVU is quiet on the Washington program. After all, they can’t afford to oppose the Governor on the program without provoking him on other issues.
But even the everyday voter, like me, can see that this program will mimic the conservative political leanings of its sponsor, Del. McGeehan and we can’t afford to go there.
New majors should not deviate from the process used by colleges and universities today and in year’s past. To do otherwise is to politicize the college education students receive in the State’s Flagship university.
