|
News Release |
For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 9, 2003 New Agreement Reached on Public University Course Offerings in Pierre BROOKINGS - Capital University Center in Pierre and the South Dakota Board of Regents have agreed to a new strategy for delivering public university coursework in the state's capital city. The Board of Regents, meeting Thursday in Brookings, approved an agreement to merge with Capital University Center (CUC). CUC is a private non-profit corporation that has contracted with the Regents to offer postsecondary education in central South Dakota since 1982. Under the new arrangement, South Dakota State University will become responsible for operational administration of CUC, with a director and staff based in Pierre. A policy council composed of three public university presidents and the CUC Foundation and Advisory Board will be involved in academic program and policy decisions. "This merger agreement is designed to further streamline the educational process for the many non-traditional students served by CUC," said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. "CUC has met an important demand for adult postsecondary education in the Pierre area, which does not have ready access to a university campus. CUC is now a part of the regental system. This agreement is a natural 'next step' in our continuing efforts to improve higher education outreach across the state." CUC will continue as a separate entity known as the Capital University Center Foundation and Advisory Board to support the work of the higher education center in Pierre. "The CUC foundation board will continue to be an active partner in identifying community needs," said CUC President Ann Thompson. "Under this agreement, our foundation board has accepted responsibility for providing instructional space and promoting CUC degree and course offerings." Public university courses from four South Dakota institutions-SDSU, Northern State University, the University of South Dakota, and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology-are offered through CUC. Those multi-campus offerings will continue, even as SDSU is charged with the day-to-day operations of the center. The management agreement is effective immediately, with full implementation expected by Jan. 1, 2004. -30-
|
|
