MS auditor proposes defunding majors that "indoctrinate" students

[apl68]

The proposal isn't limited to community colleges. It suggests remaking the university system in the image of the community college system.

The last paragraph of the report...

Reconfiguring the output of our universities could be accomplished by changing the way Mississippi funds its colleges. State appropriations should focus on the degree programs our state's economy values most. Otherwise, taxpayers will face the repercussions of an inadequate workforce and a declining population. The Legislature should create a study committee of workforce experts—like Texas did—to outline the most- and least-needed programs and design a university funding structure with this in mind

Well, workforce and economic development have always been the foremost rationales for state-supported colleges.  Tailoring a state system's offerings so closely to current perceived workforce needs seems awfully shortsighted, though.  Those needs change over time, and that could be awkward in a system that doesn't allow itself some versatility.

[Wahoo Redux]

If many of these "continuing education" programs are "noncredit", it would seem probably many of the individual courses are as well. If so, those might be very different from any university courses.

I think a lot of these are pottery, painting, music, and crafts, and some home skills like gardening and mechanical repair.  They are things offered by universities as part of degree programs, just geared toward hobbyists uninterested in grades. 

[ciao_yall]

If many of these "continuing education" programs are "noncredit", it would seem probably many of the individual courses are as well. If so, those might be very different from any university courses.

I think a lot of these are pottery, painting, music, and crafts, and some home skills like gardening and mechanical repair.  They are things offered by universities as part of degree programs, just geared toward hobbyists uninterested in grades.

Taking the neoliberal approach, these programs are excellent for aging populations to keep their brains and social skills active.

State of California pays CC's to run these programs for the community.

[marshwiggle]

If many of these "continuing education" programs are "noncredit", it would seem probably many of the individual courses are as well. If so, those might be very different from any university courses.

I think a lot of these are pottery, painting, music, and crafts, and some home skills like gardening and mechanical repair.  They are things offered by universities as part of degree programs, just geared toward hobbyists uninterested in grades.

Taking the neoliberal approach, these programs are excellent for aging populations to keep their brains and social skills active.

State of California pays CC's to run these programs for the community.

Wouldn't they normally be self-funding? Even most community programs like fitness classes, swimming lessons, etc. have registration fees which should cover the cost* as long as the enrollment is sufficient.

(*Community space may be covered out of general revenue so the registration fees don't need to pay for that, but the incremental maintenance cost due to a class would be minimal anyway.)

[ciao_yall]

If many of these "continuing education" programs are "noncredit", it would seem probably many of the individual courses are as well. If so, those might be very different from any university courses.

I think a lot of these are pottery, painting, music, and crafts, and some home skills like gardening and mechanical repair.  They are things offered by universities as part of degree programs, just geared toward hobbyists uninterested in grades.

Taking the neoliberal approach, these programs are excellent for aging populations to keep their brains and social skills active.

State of California pays CC's to run these programs for the community.

Wouldn't they normally be self-funding? Even most community programs like fitness classes, swimming lessons, etc. have registration fees which should cover the cost* as long as the enrollment is sufficient.

(*Community space may be covered out of general revenue so the registration fees don't need to pay for that, but the incremental maintenance cost due to a class would be minimal anyway.)

In the case of CA, they decided that the overall benefits were strong enough to be taxpayer supported rather than being limited to those who could afford them.

[history_grrrl]

Oh, for heaven's sake. Having a fair amount of specialized knowledge about Mississippi, I can state unequivocally that the notion that "flaky majors" are the reason grads aren't staying in Mississippi is utterly laughable.

[Mobius]

None of this will improve completion rates at community colleges. Guess it allows for more tax cuts.

[deepsouth]

Again, the proposal isn't limited to community colleges or community outreach programs. It suggests pulling funding from majors at 4-year universities that "indoctrinate" students or don't directly contribute to the state economy. It's worth noting that state funding of higher education in MS is 63% of the national average.

It's also worth noting that the state auditor is widely expected to run for governor in 2028.

[Mobius]

The point remains. More money won't be be going to "non-woke" programs.