North Dakota Ag Connection - Task Force for Higher Education Governance Convenes

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Task Force for Higher Education Governance Convenes
North Dakota Ag Connection - 01/16/2018

Gov. Doug Burgum convened the first meeting of the newly formed Task Force for Higher Education Governance, laying a foundation for assessing the current governance structure and whether changes are needed to meet North Dakota's educational and workforce needs in the 21st century.

Burgum created the 15-member Task Force through executive order in November and named the members on Dec. 21. The panel consists of the governor as chair and 14 members appointed by Burgum and representing the interests of students, faculty, alumni, the business community and all branches of state government.

The governor began the meeting by expressing his gratitude for the incredible pool of more than 230 applicants and highlighting the Task Force's "historic opportunity" to evaluate the existing higher education governance structure that's been in place since 1939.

"We're entering a world where learning can occur through many different approaches and channels, and these powerful forces are driving new forms of competition and challenges as well as creating new opportunities for North Dakota to innovate and lead," Burgum said. "The mission of this group is to create a governance structure that allows our two-year, four-year and research universities to flourish and thrive during an age of rapid digital and economic transformation."

During their meeting at Bismarck State College, Task Force members heard presentations about the history of higher education governance in North Dakota, the current university system and other states' governance models.

The Task Force will develop recommendations for the Legislature to consider during its 2019 session. Click here for more information about the Task Force, including membership.

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