CSI may help CWI get up and running
March 7, 2008 - The College of Southern Idaho and the College of Western Idaho, the state's newest community college, are close to a deal for CSI to provide support oversight for several years as CWI seeks accrditation, school officials said this week.
CSI and the CWI are drafting a memorandum of understanding for CSI to provide oversight over financial aid matters at CWI while the school waits to receive accreditation, the school presidents said.
The "agreement could be presented to the schools' boards of trustees by April," said Dennis Griffin, CWI interim president. CSI Prsident Jerry Beck said the CSI Board may consider the document, "at March 26 meeting but no later than in April."
"We're excited to be partnering with CSI," said Griffin. "We think this is a great decision."
Accreditation, while not mandatory for a new community college, is needed for students to recive finanacial aid and transfer their credits to other schools.
CSI emerged as a potential partner after Boise State University chose to upgrade its digital technology system and couldn't provide services until mid-2009, said Griffin. BSU will still handle payroll and provide some classroom space at the beginning.
CWI is seeking accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The process could last five to seven years, which the president said is typical.
CSI will be compensated for any services it provides - hiring additional staff or asking employees to do some extra work - but officials stressed CSI will not enjoying any personal or financial gain. The decision is to strengthen Idaho's community colleges and improve education access.
"This is not something that is going to make money for the institution,"said Beck. "This is peer institution helping a peer institution. It's not doing the work for them. It's just reviewing them so the procedures are done correctly."
Both Griffin and Beck said any financial figures were undecided so far because the MOU is not final.
CWI plans on opening its doors in January 2009 with between 2,000 and 2,500 students, said Griffin.
On Thursday, officials from both schools, including CSI Chief Academic Officer Jerry Gee, were in Portland to meet with education officals who have set up similar relationships in Oregon.
Beck said it's unclear whether CSI would provide the services by sending employees to CWI or from its main campus in Twin Falls. He said CWI has purchased a data system for financial aid purposes, and oversight will essentially be overseeing the process.
"We don't have to enter the data." he said. "We don't have to write the checks. We just have to be sure it's being done correctly."
At the Legislature, Magic Valley lawmakers were glad to hear about the expected partnership, and said that experience of CSI officials will be an asset as CWI opens.
"I think it's wonderful," said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome."Jerry Beck and his crew have been extremely helpful with regards to CWI."