CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The bill that would rename and make Pierpont Community and Technical College a division of Fairmont State University is now before the House of Delegates Finance Committee after approval in the House Education Committee last week.
The measure, HB 2805, continues to have its opponents including those at Pierpont.
Pierpont CTC Provost Michael Wade testified before the House Education Committee last week about the unique learning opportunities offered by the college.
“We have welders, phlebotomists and all those individuals in industrial maintenance that want to get to work, but a university, or a college or a liberal arts school with their admission standards and criteria may not be the best fit for them,” Wade told the committee.
MORE Introduced version of the bill
He also raised questions about the accreditation process if the bill would pass. Accreditation could take a matter months or years and that would also cast doubt on certificate or degrees that current students are working toward or completing.
“No institution who has already been deemed eligible as accredited merely by virtue of having accreditation shall be or enter into a merger without the approval of HLC (Higher Learning Commission) and there is no guarantee of that accredited status,” Wade said.
Lawmakers separated community and technical colleges from four-years schools in 2008.
Fairmont State supports the reunification. In a statement given to the Times West Virginian earlier this month, the school said it respects and honors the path for traditional and non-traditional students.
“Through this reunification, the unified institution will be able to provide all students in the region a comprehensive education that enhances the educational experience in an accessible manner that removes barriers for continuing education. In addition, North Central West Virginia, its industries and students will benefit from an increased industry response and depth of capabilities,” the statement said.
Pierpont CTC Interim President Dr. Anthony Hancock said last week during an appearance on WAJR Radio’s “Talk of the Town” students at his school and liberal arts school students are very different with completely unique needs.
“When we opposed it (the bill), we opposed it on it’s merits,” Hancock said. “How does a liberal arts institution take over a community and technical college and deliver that customized training?”
Hancock alleged in a recent letter sent to each member of the House of Delegates that the attempted by Fairmont State to reunite has a financial motive.
“We believe community college students in North Central West Virginia will face increased tuition and additional fees due to housing costs. Thereby creating greater financial barriers to college access and a quality technical education,” Hancock wrote.
A provision in the bill prohibits releasing any Pierpont employee during the first 12 months of the transition. But, Hancock said on WAJR he’s concerned about what would happen to employees in departments like IT or students services that would be become duplicate functions.
“We would assume all those divisions would go away and it would be delivered by FSU,” he said. “So, it’s my assumption that all of those individuals would lose their jobs at the end of the day.”
According to Hancock, they have a close relationship with employers and have the ability to change, or add curriculum as requested or needed in the local economy.
“We’re able to deliver that training just in time and on that particular day,” Hancock said. “We are experts in looking at skillssets, we experienced at looking at skills to meet employers expectations.”
No word yet on when or if the bill will make it on the House Finance Committee agenda.