Four-year college bill still moving up

By Diane Saunders, staff writer
Published on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:47 AM MST

After weeks of negotiations, a bill that would allow Eastern Arizona College to offer four-year degrees is again moving through the Arizona Legislature and, hopefully, to the governor's desk.

"It's 'unlogjammed' and on its way," District 5 Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R-Safford) said.

The bill has been heard in the Senate's Higher Education Committee and is expected to be considered by the full Senate in about two weeks, Konopnicki said.

It will go back to the House of Representatives, then, if approved, on to Gov. Janet Napolitano to be signed into law. The bill will allow EAC to offer four-year degrees beginning with the 2007/08 fiscal year.

College officials say the four-year degrees would be in teaching, business, nursing and interdisciplinary studies. The bill states that tuition for third- and fourth-year classes would be less than the tuition charged by Arizona's three state-supported universities.

College officials say, however, that tuition for those upper-level classes will probably be more than the tuition currently charged at EAC for two-year degrees.

Local public school educators say they are in favor of the bill because it may encourage college students to earn their teaching degrees locally and remain in the Valley as teachers.

Konopnicki originally introduced the bill as House Bill 2624, which became stalled in the Legislature. The language of House Bill 2624 then appeared in House Bill 2311. That bill underwent a procedure known as a "strike all" in which the original language is gutted and the language from another piece of legislation is substituted.

House Bill 2311 passed the House of Representatives' Government Reform and Government Finance Accountability Committee, chaired by Konopnicki, on a 4-1 vote Feb. 15.

Since then, it has been undergoing some modifications in its wording.

Contact Diane Saunders at 428-2560 (ext. 234).

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

10 comment(s)

Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" I went to this camp in the summer of 05 when they were located in concho. I highly doubt that vallentine is telling the truth because when i went they was plenty of food. I remeber that they made us but on spf 50 sunscreen by the gallons. They provided us with gallons of water a day. I think that denton should have stayed in concho because it was a lot better. Big deal the recruits have no ac or water. what to expect bootcamp to be a vaction? And by the way the dirt isnt going to kill you "

H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

" The percentage of Americans who recreate in the wild outdoors of our National Forests is shrinking all the time. Today's America is predominately an urban/suburban America. Increasingly, individuals can not part with their IPods, Cell Phones, Laptop Computers and Navigational Aides (GPS). Roughing it outdoors is an experience that fewer and fewer individuals are getting "

Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:

" Why not tell these people and organizations how you feel?

Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
Principal Robert Beeman
Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
Safford, Arizona Middle School

734 11Th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone Number: (928) 348-7040

http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "

THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I graduated with these guys and it's sad to say that I'm really not that surprised. They're meat heads and are a "few fries short of a happy meal". The authorities did nothing wrong, these people made a dumb choice and will have to deal with the consequences.

P.S. Doug did it. "

blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Whatever "

colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:

" i think doug grant is innocent an i think you should not charge him for murder "

saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:

" hello hello hello hello hello hello "

Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Why doesn't this newspaper admit that the story reported by Pam Crandall, as related by Jesse MacBeth, in the above article, is a flat out lie??? MacBeth has since admitted that he did not go to Iraq and that he made up all of the stories repeated by Pam Crandall. Please tell the truth. The longer that the Courier stands by these lies the sillier it looks. "

Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:

" And the authorities wonder why it is that students have so little respect for authority. If I were this kid (or the kid's mother) I would never look at authority the same way again. "

Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM:

" i am writting to say that this was a harmless prank and just a little fun for these two innocent teenagers. they should have not gotten in that much trouble for just a harmless prank. being a friend to them you wouldnt see it in my view. they were just looking to have fun in safford because there is nothing else to do and jose hernandez should have not been sent to ADJC on his first crime he ever commited. "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!