Colleges collaborate

Twenty-three miles separate Central Lakes College, Staples campus, from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena.

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That distance grew closer Tuesday.

Administrators from both schools met Tuesday at CLC, Staples campus, to sign an agreement to form a partnership for one of M State's program offerings. This partnership allows CLC to host an M State program at the Staples campus. The industrial mechanical maintenance program will be expanded and offered through M State next fall in space formerly occupied by the CLC diesel and heavy equipment technician program, which remains in Staples.

The partnership allows M State students enrolled in the program to use CLC facilities and services, as well as utilize M State's opportunities. CLC students would be able to enroll in the program through M State, too. There already is a transportation service between Wadena and Staples, which was a factor that was considered when the partnership developed, according to CLC.

Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College, shared a laugh with Ann Valentine, president of Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena, Tuesday after the two administrators signed an agreement between the colleges that moves and expands the Wadena college's industrial mechanical maintenance program to unoccupied space at CLC's Staples campus. The program begins in the fall. Brainerd Dispatch/Jodie Tweed

The new program will involve one section of about 20 students who may earn either an associate of applied science degree, a diploma or certificate. Details have not yet been worked out about who will teach the program, said Ann Valentine, M State president.

CLC President Larry Lundblad said in today's economy, particularly with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal Monday that calls for a $47 million budget cut for higher education, it's important rural colleges work together to find ways to become more efficient.

"We're very interested in how to better serve the region," said Lundblad. "It's a way to combine our resources."

College administrators from both colleges spent Tuesday morning in a meeting to discuss other potential program partnerships, as well as to work out details in the industrial mechanical maintenance program. Valentine said the colleges are looking at a joint advanced science course offering.

Wendy Schluender, dean of the Staples campus and career and technical education, said these types of partnerships will allow the colleges to offer full programs using full-time instructors that otherwise might only be part time at each college or not offered at all due to lower student numbers.

Valentine said there was a high need and interest to expand this program. Those who graduate from the two-year program are generally able to find work in the field that pays $15 to $23 per hour, said Monty Johnson, M State dean of academic and student services.

In these tough economic times, Valentine stressed the importance that rural colleges are not overlooked. She said they are important to both the state and local economy, not just Twin Cities area colleges and universities. Student enrollment has increased dramatically at both colleges. CLC experienced a 7-1/2 percent increase in student enrollment last fall after experiencing double-digit increases for the previous two years. M State this year experienced a 10 percent student enrollment increase. In addition to the Wadena campus, M State has campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and Moorhead.

"Smaller campuses in greater Minnesota are extremely important to our economy," said Valentine.

Lundblad said it appears that the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System will be looking at a $10 million budget cut for fiscal year 2011, according to Pawlenty's recent budget cut proposal. He said CLC's share of those cuts is about a 2 percent cut, or about $200,000. This is an additional cut from the $1.1 million that's already been cut from the CLC budget for FY11.

Lundblad said CLC will be forced to make additional budget cuts but fortunately the college's enrollment growth, along with federal stimulus funds available through FY11, will be able to help soften some of those cuts. He said CLC students also will be affected by cuts to state grants and work study aid.

Lundblad said partnerships with neighboring colleges, like M State, will help, but not resolve, all funding issues for the college.

"We spent most of the morning finding ways to support each other and do some joint hires, share marketing and all that," said Lundblad. "That's good. We're realizing efficiency that way but it won't be the answer to everything, of course. We're concerned about keeping rural institutions viable for the health and well-being of the area. We're trying to maintain and grow what we have and still have to deal with budget cuts."

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.