In an effort to increase enrollment and awareness of MWSU, Board members approved opening two satellite campuses, one in Bridgeport and one in Flower Mound. Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said in research conducted last year a demand for adult place-bound students accessing a four year degree is not readily available in this places.
The Board of Regents voted to partner with Weatherford College June 6, and will offering classes at the Wise County campus in Bridgeport, Texas this fall.
“They are allowing us to teach courses in there so we can take our education to these place-bound students,” Lamb said. “They’re a very good partner for us.”
MSU will be offering respiratory care and education courses for undergraduate education, and education courses for graduate education. According to Lamb, the ideal plan is as follows: students should complete their first two years of study and receive an associate’s degree from Weatherford College, and take MSU’s offered courses at the same location to receive a bachelor’s degree from MSU.
During the regular meeting of the Board of Regents on Aug. 4, the Board approved for University President Suzanne Shipley and the Board of Regents chair to negotiate a build-to-lease agreement for a proposed Flower Mound Campus in partnership with North Central Texas College.
Lamb said he and Emily Klement, NCTC associate vice president of institutional partnerships, have discussed the feasibility of a partnership for the past five years.
“The site we’re looking at is adjacent to the already existing Flower Mound campus,” Lamb said. “They would also be able to provide some of the operations because they’re already there such as police, library, things like that.”
The initial programs that may be offered at NCTC will include respiratory care and radiologic sciences, but undergraduate and graduate education and business programs are expected in later years.
“We look forward to providing new options for students completing degrees at NCTC. Together Midwestern State and NCTC can position students for professional success with a generous array of fields to study,” Shipley said in a press release on Aug. 4.
Board members approved a concept approved included a 30,000-square foot building housing eight classrooms, a campus book store, a tutorial center, lounge space and a food-service area.
According to Lamb, Weatherford College will be allowing MSU to provide classes rent free at the beginning. The only costs for that campus will be faculty costs and “a few inexpensive services.”
The rent for the Flower Mound location yet to be built will be split 67/33.
“What we are projecting for NCTC is an operational loss the first two years, year three become operationally profitable and by year six the running deficit from the first two years will be paid off,” Lamb said.
The Board of Regents is asking the legislature for a $1 million a year for two year start-up cost for the NCTC campus, according to Marilyn Fowle, vice president for business affairs and finance.
“The students there will be paying tuition and fees which will contribute to paying the cost,” Fowle said.
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MWSU Board meeting
The Midwestern State University Board of Regents met Aug. 4, 2016.