EDITORIAL: UTA departure from McLennan Community College is bittersweet
There are certain moments in every institution’s life that define and change its course. Such was a historic meeting between McLennan Community College’s former president Dennis Michaelis in 2001 with the University of Texas at Arlington’s then-president Robert E. Witt.
Michaelis recalled in the book “McLennan Community College: Celebrating 40 Years of Serving Central Texas” how nervous he was to approach the venerable Witt to request that UTA offer degree programs at the MCC campus in Waco. It was a concept unheard of at the time. It was bold and pioneering — and they weren’t sure UTA would agree.
To Michaelis’ surprise, Witt immediately signed on. And thus began the formation of the University Center at MCC, which now offers undergraduate and graduate programs through six partnering institutions, including a doctoral program, to 900 area students.
It proved to be a meeting that would forever change the face of higher education here.
Knowing this history, it’s bittersweet now to learn that UTA is pulling out of the agreement, with the exception of its nursing program.
But we’re heartened to know that because of its initial “leap of faith,” as quoted in the book, so many others signed on. And with its departure arises opportunity for other institutions to offer more programs, MCC president Johnette McKown told the Trib.
“We’re excited about the road ahead,” she told us. “We’re going to use the UTA departure to move forward in a bigger way.”
In fact, McKown was in Lubbock on Thursday talking it up with Texas Tech officials on new degree tracks to bring to Waco.
We commend her aggressiveness and optimism. Our town sure needs it.
We also commend the fiscal responsibility that MCC is showing in charging a fee for the University Center. The $10 fee per credit hour — to begin in fall 2010 for University Center students — is certainly understandable, especially since they’re being housed in MCC’s new Michaelis Academic Center. Charging a nominal fee makes prudent sense, especially in these shaky fiscal times.
We look forward to the continued growth.
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