The Future of Mesa State . . .                               The Challenges We Face and the Opportunities They Create

From an historical perspective it was not long ago that Grand Junction Junior College opened its doors to 8 eager students. A lot has happened to Mesa State College since that day in 1925, but three-quarters of a century of progress and change may dim when compared to the stellar changes on the horizon for Mesa State.

Trying to describe the pending changes means establishing a touch stone from which to start. Explaining the possibilities is a little bit like trying to untangle ten strands of Christmas lights that you packed away in a hurried bunch the year before. Figuring out what good, bad, or different will come from all of the changes would require one heck of a crystal ball. Writing this during the legislative session means that things could change between the time we go to press and the time this publication lands in your mailbox. That said, let’s begin…

Mesa State is poised to depart the dissolving State Colleges in Colorado in favor of an independent board. Dr. Michael Gallagher, Mesa State’s 10th president, resigned effective December 31, 2002 and Dr. Samuel Gingerich was named interim president. The State of Colorado faces its largest budget deficit in history, with deep cuts being made in all departments, at all agencies, and at all levels. A promise of base funding for Mesa State and other state colleges may be threatened by budget troubles. To challenge public colleges and universities to direct greater attention to students and student access, lawmakers in Denver are considering establishing a College Opportunity Fund to provide direct aid to students.

As part of a reorganization of higher education in Colorado proposed by Governor Owens’ Blue Ribbon Panel on Higher Education in the 21st Century, State Representative Gayle Berry (R-Grand Junction, Mesa State Alumna ’74) authored House Bill 03-1093, which establishes independent boards for Mesa, as well as Adams and Western State Colleges. State Senator Ron Teck (R-Grand Junction) signed on as the bill’s Senate sponsor.

Berry, who was vice chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel, says she believes that independent boards will work harder for the individual schools. “Each of these three colleges will have a governing board that is focused purely on making each of them succeed,” said Berry.
Tim Foster, the executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), spoke favorably of the plan at a meeting early in the process, but warned that the community and the alumni would have to move to a higher level of support if the institution is to be successful operating under an independent board.

Adding to the questions that are ahead for Mesa State is the issue of leadership. In August 2002 Dr. Michael Gallagher announced that he was leaving the presidency to return to teaching. “Teaching is where I started my career in higher education,” Dr. Gallagher said. “I am looking forward to returning to the classroom and working more closely with students.”

The State College Trustees appointed Dr. Samuel Gingerich, Mesa State’s vice president for academic affairs, to serve as interim president. “It is a challenging time for Mesa State,” said Gingerich. “Challenges, however, create opportunities and I am pleased to be chosen to help guide Mesa State during this very dynamic time.”

Usually, a presidential search would have been started immediately to lessen the time spent under an interim leader, but not much at Mesa State these days fits into the category of “usually”. Instead of starting the search for a new president, the Trustees of the State Colleges elected to postpone the search until later in the year. The move allows for the new independent board to establish the criteria desired and to select a candidate they are comfortable with, instead of inheriting a president or group of candidates chosen by the previous board.

Assuming (and we’re doing a bit of that in this article) that the independence legislation passes, the new board would probably be established around July 1, 2003. The board would then take a short period of time to familiarize themselves with Mesa State’s needs. A national search for a new president could be undertaken. The most likely scenario would be for a new president to begin work in early to mid-summer 2004.

Budget issues in Colorado also are having an impact on Mesa State and all state run institutions and agencies. With the largest budget deficit in its history, the State is eyeing any and all expenses. Mesa State has cut more than $1 million from its fiscal year budget, which ends June 30, 2003. Mesa has avoided deeper cuts as the CCHE has worked to protect the colleges that serve rural and underserved populations. However, the economic outlook is hazy and there may be no avoiding deep cuts if the state’s economy continues to stall.

One difficulty created by the budget deficit is a projected “funding floor” for Mesa, Adams, and Western. The remaining State Colleges were promised additional funding by the legislature when Metro State College left the system in 2002. A study commissioned by the CCHE found that it could take up to an additional $26 million to bring the schools in line with the average funding of peer institutions outside of Colorado. With this figure out of the question in the budget crisis, CCHE recommended an infusion of $7 million. Some lawmakers question the wisdom of expanding funding for three schools while the state is trying to deal with a huge budget deficit. This issue may be resolved, one way or the other, by the time the print on this page dries.

Still with me? Wrapping up the two-year study of higher education statewide, the Blue Ribbon Panel also made some funding recommendations. The key recommendation was that Colorado should examine a Colorado Student Opportunity Grant program for students who are coming out of high school. Basically, the system would award all high school graduates with approximately $4,000 per year toward their college education. The proposal would take funding for higher education out of the hands of the state and place it in the hands of the students. Proponents of the plan say it would make higher education more accountable to students by placing the students in charge of funding. While it sounds simple on the face, supporters admit that questions need to be answered before the proposal can be enacted.

We have tried to encapsulate all of Mesa State’s challenges within this article, but not because we are worried about the future. We know that the strong foundation all of you have helped create at Mesa State will stand firm against any challenges. We want you to know about the challenges, because they create opportunities - opportunities, now more than ever, to support Mesa State. Whether you call a legislator or make a donation, you can make a difference like never before. Remember, Mesa State is not just a college. Mesa State is YOUR College.