EXECUTIVE ORDER
03-07
WHEREAS, all Missourians deserve the ability to pursue an education after high school that enhances economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, research has shown that investments in higher education are key to Missouri's economic growth and the quality of life for all Missourians; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's system of higher education must focus on and be responsive to the needs of all its customers and of the state as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's system of higher education must improve efforts to assist in preparing elementary and secondary students for successful postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's participation and completion rates in higher education must be improved to better compete with other states, and opportunities for successful participation must be improved for Missourians at all income levels and stages of life; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's system of higher education is dedicated to improving the learning process and focusing on high-demand fields of study in the 21st-century economy; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's system of higher education is committed to improving its quality and performance through measuring, reporting, and analyzing data; and
WHEREAS, Missouri higher education is concerned with revitalizing its policies and procedures to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, adequate resources must be developed to sustain the mission and goals of Missouri higher education.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Holden, Governor of the State of Missouri, by the power vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby create and establish the Commission on the Future of Higher Education.
The purpose of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall be to develop plans to strengthen and improve postsecondary education in Missouri. The commission's objectives will include, but are not limited to: identifying ways to increase the number of Missourians prepared to pursue training and education after high school, including technical, community college, and college or university education; increasing the number of high school students who enroll in and complete such programs; enhancing the affordability of postsecondary education for students from families at all income levels; and increasing the civic and economic benefits of advanced education for individuals, their families, communities, and the state of Missouri.
The Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall be composed of not more than 29 members appointed by the Governor. Members shall include eight representatives from the Missouri General Assembly, four of whom shall be from the Senate, four of whom shall be from the House of Representatives. Not more than four of the legislative members shall be from the same political party. The commission membership shall also include business and community leaders. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the commission. The members of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall serve without compensation, except that the members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses arising from commission activities or business. Such expenses shall be paid by the Department of Higher Education, to which the commission is assigned for administrative purposes.
In the interest of keeping the public informed, the Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall report its recommendations and strategies for implementing such recommendations to the Governor, The Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the members of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Director of the Department of Economic Development. Such report shall be submitted by January 1, 2004. The commission may also submit such interim reports as are necessary to keep the public informed of its progress. The Governor shall appoint an Academic Resource Team of not more than twelve members from the academic community who shall provide technical and policy-related information and other assistance as requested by the commission in fulfilling its mission.
Members of the Commission shall serve until January 1, 2004.
The Missouri Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall convene no later than May 1, 2003.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 17th day of March, 2003.
[Bob Holden's signature]
Bob Holden
Governor
ATTEST:
[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Secretary of State
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