[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 123 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10367-S10368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself and Mr. Kennedy):
S. 2885. A bill to build capacity at community colleges in order to
meet increased demand for community college education while maintaining
the affordable tuition rates and the open-door policy that are the
hallmarks of the community college system; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the ``Community
College Opportunity Act.'' Community colleges are the gateway to the
future for first time students looking for an affordable college
education, and for mid-career students looking to get ahead in the
workplace. As college tuition at four-year colleges continues to rise,
more and more students are turning to community colleges for the
education they need to prepare for 21st century jobs.
Yet soon we may not be able to count on our community colleges being
available to everyone. The combination of budget cuts and increased
enrollments is forcing community colleges to make tough choices between
raising tuition and turning students away. This important legislation
will help keep the doors of our community colleges open to increasing
numbers of students without sending tuition through the roof. My bill
authorizes $100 million for a competitive grant program to help
community colleges serve more students. Community colleges could apply
for a grant to help with the cost of constructing or renovating
facilities, hiring faculty, purchasing new computers and scientific
equipment, and investing in creative ways of addressing overcrowding--
like distance learning.
Why is this important? Community colleges are one of the great
American social inventions. I used to teach night school at Baltimore
City Community College. I know firsthand the vital role they play in
our communities. Their low cost, convenient location, and open door
admissions policy have made them the key to the American dream for so
many. Many generations of immigrants pursued the American dream by
working all day and going to school at night. After World War II, the
GI bill gave returning veterans a chance to get ahead by going to local
junior colleges.
Now, more than ever, it's important to invest in community colleges.
In the next ten years, 40 percent of new jobs will require college
education. At the same time, college tuition is on the rise. Tuition at
the University of Maryland is up by as much as 21 percent. That's
causing many students to take a second look at community colleges
because they're more affordable. They're also leaders in training
workers for 21st century jobs from nurses to computer techies, and even
lab techs for new industries, like biotechnology. They're playing a key
role in addressing shortages in nursing and teaching. In Maryland,
community colleges train 55 percent of new nurses.
Yet our community colleges are bursting at the seams. They're growing
faster than 4-year colleges. Enrollment at Maryland's community
colleges is expected to grow 30 percent in the next 10 years, while 4-
year colleges will grow by 15 percent. Community colleges are holding
classes from 7 in the morning to 10 at night, on weekends, and over the
internet. In my own state of Maryland, they are starting to turn
students away because there isn't enough room. As many as 2000 students
were shut out of Montgomery College last year because they couldn't get
into the classes they needed or they couldn't afford the cost. Last
fall, Prince George's Community College had to turn away 630
prospective nursing students and 1,000 prospective education students.
It's great that so many Americans are going to community colleges.
For so many Americans, community colleges are the only way to get the
education they need to be competitive for 21st century jobs. Yet the
rapid increase of students is threatening the very mission of community
colleges. If we want a world-class workforce, we need to invest in
higher education. We need to make sure we have always institutions
available to everyone who wants a college degree or just a couple of
courses. That means investing in our community colleges, so they can
continue to be affordable, accessible, and successful at training the
next generation of nurses, teachers, and techies.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 2885
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAPACITY-BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM.
Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1051 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating part F as part G; and
(2) by inserting after part E the following:
``Part F--Community Colleges
``SEC. 371. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAPACITY-BUILDING GRANT
PROGRAM.
``(a) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under section
399(a)(6) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants
to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, for the purpose
of building capacity at community colleges to meet the
increased demand for community colleges while maintaining the
affordable tuition rates and the open-door policy that are
the hallmarks of the community college system.
``(2) Duration.--Grants awarded under this section shall be
for a period not to exceed 3 years.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community college.--The term `community college'
means a public institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101(a)) whose highest degree awarded is predominantly
the associate degree.
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
community college, or a consortium of 2 or more community
colleges, that demonstrates capacity challenges at not less
than 1 of the community colleges in the eligible entity, such
as--
``(A) an identified workforce shortage in the community
served by the community college that will be addressed by
increased enrollment at the community college;
``(B) a wait list for a class or for a degree or a
certificate program;
``(C) a faculty shortage;
``(D) a significant enrollment growth;
``(E) a significant projected enrollment growth;
``(F) an increase in the student-faculty ratio;
``(G) a shortage of laboratory space or equipment;
``(H) a shortage of computer equipment and technology;
``(I) out-of-date computer equipment and technology;
``(J) a decrease in State or county funding or a related
budget shortfall; or
``(K) another demonstrated capacity shortfall.
``(c) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require by
regulation.
``(d) Award Basis.--In awarding grants under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall take into consideration--
``(1) the relative need for assistance under this section
of the community colleges;
``(2) the probable impact and overall quality of the
proposed activities on the capacity problem of the community
college;
``(3) providing an equitable geographic distribution of
grant funds under this section throughout the United States
and among urban, suburban, and rural areas of the United
States; and
``(4) providing an equitable distribution among small,
medium, and large community colleges.
``(e) Use of Funds.--Grant funds provided under subsection
(a) may be used for activities that expand community college
capacity, including--
``(1) the construction, maintenance, renovation, and
improvement of classroom, library, laboratory, and other
instructional facilities;
``(2) the purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or
laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including
instructional research purposes;
``(3) the development, improvement, or expansion of
technology;
``(4) preparation and professional development of faculty;
``(5) recruitment, hiring, and retention of faculty;
``(6) curriculum development and academic instruction;
[[Page S10368]]
``(7) the purchase of library books, periodicals, and other
educational materials, including telecommunications program
material;
``(8) the joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and
libraries; or
``(9) the development of partnerships with local businesses
to increase community college capacity.
``SEC. 372. APPLICABILITY.
``The provisions of part G shall not apply to this part.''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 399(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1068h(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(6) Part f.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out part F, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and such
sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years.''.
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