WICHE: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Thursday, June 29, 2006

8.30 – 9.00 am

Welcome and Opening Comments

Dane Linn, Director of Education Policy Studies, National Governors Association
David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Dewayne Matthews, Senior Research Director, Lumina Foundation for Education

9.00 – 10.15 am

View from the States

Policymakers and stakeholders often learn the most about emerging issues, including what issues states are facing and strategies for tackling the inevitable challenges to problem resolution, through direct conversation with their colleagues from other states. This interactive session will provide each state with the opportunity to share its experiences and perspectives on important issues related to the integration of higher education appropriations, financial aid, and tuition policy.

Moderator:

Dane Linn, Director of Education Policy Studies, National Governors Association

10.30 – 11.45 am

Jones presentation

Policies in Sync: Aligning Postsecondary Appropriations, Financial Aid, and Tuition

Regardless of the near-term economic outlook, some states will spend the remaining years of this decade recovering from the effects of the recent revenue and appropriation seesaw, and the attendant affects on tuition and financial aid. In this environment, state leaders must learn to strategically deploy financing policy toward ends rather than means. This session will help participants align policy to encourage educational outcomes consistent with the economic benefits and enhanced quality of life for a state’s citizens.

Moderator:

Donald Heller, Associate Professor and Senior Research Associate, Center for the Study of Higher Education, The Pennsylvania State University

Speakers:

Dennis Jones, President, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
Dane Linn, Director of Education Policy Studies, National Governors Association

1.00 – 2.00 pm

Lingenfelter presentation

Beene presentation

Gutierrez presentation

Linking Funding Strategies to Accountability: Meeting Changing Demands

More now than ever, states are thinking differently about funding and accountability to better reflect long-term state higher education goals. This session will focus on the financing and affordability challenges facing states and what governors can do to help find solutions.

Moderator:

Demarée Michelau, Project Coordinator, Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

Paul Lingenfelter, President, State Higher Education Executive Officers
Linda Beene, Director, Arkansas Department of Higher Education
Elizabeth Gutierrez, Director of P2O Policy and Program Development, New Mexico Higher Education Department

2.00 – 3.15 pm

Hawker presentation

Purcell presentation

Efficiency and Productivity: Focus on the Adult Learner

Traditional college student populations dominate the conversations around efficiency and productivity. Yet, the proportion of students seeking postsecondary education who are non-traditional — older and often part-time — has increased steadily in recent years. It is time to look at productivity in higher education more inclusively and explore innovative strategies to increase efficiency in enrolling and graduating adult students. This session will offer two state approaches as a springboard for a broader dialogue concerning adult learners.

Moderator:

Jacqueline King, Director, Center for Policy Analysis, American Council on Education

Speakers:

Sarah Hawker, Vice President for Adult Education, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
James Purcell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Analysis, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

3.30 – 4.30 pm

Aligning Postsecondary Education to State Economic Development Goals

An education citizenry is the key to a state’s economic success. Recognizing this, states are deliberately working to align postsecondary education to economic development goals in an effort to improve overall state fiscal health and viability. Learn first-hand from higher education and economic development agency leaders how Minnesota is working toward this alignment under the direction and leadership of Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Moderator:

Dane Linn, Director of Education Policy Studies, National Governors Association

Speakers:

Susan Heegaard, Director, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Ward Einess, Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Friday, June 30, 2006

9.00 – 10.00 am

Aligning State and Federal Policy: Effects on Appropriations, Financial Aid, and Tuition

State policymakers too often make piecemeal decisions about appropriations, financial aid, and tuition policy—resulting in a hodgepodge of disconnected policies that sometimes are in conflict. And federal policymaking rarely is created with state policy impacts in mind. This moderated discussion will explore the intersection between federal and state policy decisions and how they can be better integrated to increase access and success for all students.

Moderator:

Kenneth Redd, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Panelists:

David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Travis Reindl, Director of State Policy Analysis and Assistant to the President, American Association of State Colleges and Universities

10.30 - 11.45 am

Jacobs presentation

LaVista presentation

New Strategies for Funding Higher Education

As states are less able, and willing in some cases, to provide the necessary financial support for higher education, states are exploring new ways of providing their services to students, including increased independence and in some cases, privatization. This session will explore the reasons for and consequences of reduced state support for higher education and a potentially redefined role of the state by closely examining the context and strategies of two states, Colorado and Virginia.

Moderator:

Larry Isaak, President, Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Speakers:

James Jacobs, Deputy Staff Director, University of Denver Colorado Economic Futures Panel
Daniel LaVista, Executive Director, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

11.45 am – 12.00 pm

Closing Discussion

Dane Linn, Director of Education Policy Studies, National Governors Association
David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education