Late last night House Bill 4496 (the Community College Baccalaureate Authorization bill) passed the Senate and won concurrence in the House of Representatives. It is now headed to the Governor for his signature.
This bill authorizes community colleges in Michigan to offer technical bachelor’s degrees in maritime technology, cement technology, energy production technology, and culinary arts. The Senate vote was 20 to 17 and the House vote was 65 to 44.
This is an important step for our students and the future students in Michigan. This authorization coupled with our current and continuing partnerships at the University Center provide superior access to higher education for citizens in our region. I particularly look forward to continuing to work with Ferris State University as a partner in meeting the degree needs of our Great Lakes Maritime Academy students.
While we had hoped to include nursing in the bill, we simply did not have the votes this time to do so. We are actively pursuing other options that will meet the BSN needs of health care in our region and I am confident we can provide appropriate solutions.
We owe great thanks to Speaker Pro Temp Representative John Walsh, the primary sponsor of the bill, for his three years of work to make this bill a reality. We also should thank Mike Hansen, President of the MCCA and the many community college presidents, trustees and friends that helped to accomplish this goal. You all have my personal gratitude!
I hope you can join us at the Holiday party this afternoon at the Hagerty Center (4:30 to 7:00).
Thankfully,
Timothy J. Nelson, President
Northwestern Michigan College
See the bill and the outcomes at http://www.legislature.mi.