Alabama board votes to consolidate seven community colleges
By Mike Cason | mcason@al.com
Montgomery, AL
The Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees voted today to begin the process of merging a total of seven colleges, four in south Alabama and three in the east-central part of the state.
Four will be consolidated under Faulkner State Community College, based in Bay Minette. The other three are Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville and Reid State Technical College in Evergreen.
Three will be consolidated under Central Alabama Community College, based in Alexander City. The other two are Southern Union State Community College in Wadley and Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City.
There was no discussion about or opposition to the merger resolutions today. They had apparently been discussed at a previous board work session.
The resolutions are to initiate the process and notify the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Public meetings will be held in each of the affected communities, according to the resolutions. Regulations require a planning process of at least six months, the resolutions say.
The Legislature created the Community College Board of Trustees earlier this year. Previously, the college system had been under the State Board of Education.
Supporters of the move to create the new board said it would result in better management and coordination of two-year and technical colleges.
Community College Board Member Al Thompson of Baldwin County today said the mergers were recommended by Community College Chancellor Mark Heinrich.
Thompson said it's important for the college system to be efficient because of amount of money spent on education.
He said he believed the mergers would improve affordability and accessibility.
Some colleges with low enrollment will benefit from merging with stronger colleges, Thompson said.