FULL COMMISSION August 13, 2015

Docket Item:

University Program Approval: Eastern Oregon University (EOU), Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Business Administration.

Summary:

EOU proposes a new program leading to a B.A.S. degree in Business Administration. Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) staff completed a review of the proposed program. After analysis, HECC staff recommends approval of the program as proposed.

Staff Recommendation:

The HECC recommends the adoption of the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission approve the following program:

B.A.S. degree in Business Administration at EOU.

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Eastern Oregon University seeks the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s approval to offer an instructional program leading to a B.A.S. degree in Business Administration.

1. Describe the purpose and relationship of the proposed program to the institution’s missionand strategic plan.

Part of Eastern Oregon University’s (EOU) mission is to provide high quality liberal arts and professional programs to rural and eastern Oregon. This commitment extends beyond our campus by using distance onsite and online delivery to help students throughout Oregon enhance their lives through education. There are currently many individuals in this state who have completed an Associate of Science degree from a community college. This degree is excellent preparation for entry level jobs in a variety of businesses and industries. However, more and more of these businesses are requiring bachelor level degrees in order to progress into management levels within the organization. Until now, most four-year universities have been unwilling to accept many of the course credits from the Associate of Applied Science degree programs. With this new degree program, the proposed Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Business Administration, EOU will enable a seamless move into a four year degree program that will provide the skills necessary for community college students in our primary and secondary service region to move into higher level management and supervisory positions.

2. What evidence of need does the institution have for the program?

There are thousands of Oregonians who have associate of applied science degrees who could benefit from this B.A.S. degree. In 2012 alone, IPEDS data indicates that over 8,000 career and technical applied degrees were produced by Oregon’s 17 community colleges. Many Oregon residents having been asking for the B.A.S. degree and the Oregon State legislature, the Oregon University System (OUS), and the current HECC Board have all been encouraging the four-year universities in the state to develop bachelor of applied science programs.

3. Are there similar programs in the state? If so, how does the proposed program supplement,complement, or collaborate with those programs?

Although Southern Oregon University offers their B.A.S. program online as well as onsite in Medford, EOU’s proposed online program supports our established online program mix targeted at our current service areas. IPEDS data indicates that the online market can bear

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more than one online provider of the B.A.S. in Business degree for the thousands of associate of science (AS) and associate of applied science (AAS) degrees produced annually by Oregon community colleges.

4. What new resources will be needed initially and on a recurring basis to implement theprogram? How will the institution provide these resources? What efficiencies or revenueenhancements are achieved with this program, including consolidation or elimination ofprograms over time, if any?

The program will be self-sustaining. Initially, students will be taking existing classes. Additional sections will only be added as demand grows to numbers that will create a positive cash flow. Anticipated student/faculty ratio will be 1:30.

All appropriate University committees, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education, and the Statewide Provosts Council have positively reviewed the proposed program.

Recommendation to the Commission The Statewide Provosts Council recommends that the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission authorize Eastern Oregon University to establish an instructional program leading to a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Business Administration, effective Fall 2015.

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Institution: Eastern Oregon University Program: B.A.S. in Business Administration

Action: By electronic vote on May 26, 2015, the Statewide Provosts Council approved a new program for Eastern Oregon University, Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration, to move forward to the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission for its review/ approval. All eight provosts approved the program. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education approved this program at their June 5, 2015 meeting.

Eastern Oregon University

Sarah Witte, interim provost

X Approved

_ Opposed

__Abstained

Oregon State University

Sabah Randhawa, provost

X Approved

Opposed

Abstained

Portland State University

Sona Andrews, provost

X Approved

_ Opposed

Abstained

University of Oregon

Frances Bronet, acting provost

X Approved

Opposed

Abstained

Oregon Health & Science University Jenny Mladenovic, provost

X Approved

Opposed

__Abstained

Oregon Tech Brad Burda, provost

X Approved

Opposed

Abstained

Southern Oregon University

Susan Walsh, interim provost

X Approved

Opposed

Abstained

Western Oregon University

Steve Scheck, provost

X Approved

Opposed

Abstained

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