Regents debate naming and oversight as reduced'credit bachelor pilot moves forward

Staff reviewed RCB policy element recommendations and summarized SCOCCO's conversation. Members of the RCBD work group described a Docking Institute employer survey draft of roughly 10 questions to be sent to about 3,260 business and industry contacts to assess awareness and confidence in reduced'credit bachelor's degrees; the survey was piloted and estimated to take five minutes or less.

Campus leaders and provosts urged careful consideration of naming conventions and shared governance. Susan Vaughn of Pittsburg State raised concerns that settling names without faculty input could risk faculty buy'in; other speakers said transcript notations and transparent student communications are critical. Speakers also referenced Higher Learning Commission requirements that institutions demonstrate truthful labeling and documented communication about transfer, licensure or employment implications.

Two'year sector representatives noted community colleges across the country already offer bachelor's degrees and cautioned the pilot could invite similar requests if not carefully managed. Staff summarized options: institutions submitting RCBD proposals could propose a pilot name for board approval, and the board would evaluate pilot results and finalize permanent naming before the first degrees are conferred. The committee did not finalize a naming convention and will forward the recommendations to the full board for further consideration.