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Bitterroot Valley Community College Advocacy — The Steering CommitteeIn the coming months the primary activity of the Bitterroot Valley Community College Steering Committee (BVCC-SC) will be advocating at the state level for the organization of the Bitterroot Valley Community College District. Advocacy will begin with the Montana State Board of Regents of Higher Education. State statute directs that following a favorable local vote in support of organizing a new community college district, the state's Board of Regents of Higher Education must then weigh-in on the issue (§ 20-15-209). Although the Regents' recommendation is non-binding (February 2007 ruling by Montana State Attorney General Mike McGrath), it is an important and necessary step in the organization process. While the details of the recommendation process have yet to be finalized, the BVCC-SC will work closely with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE—the executive arm of the Board of Regents) to ensure that the process is reasonable and timely. It is assumed that the recommendation process will involve the presentation of written and spoken material before the Regents, followed by discussion and deliberation among the Regents and interested parties. Once the Regents have finalized their recommendation (be it for, against, or neutral with respect to organization), advocacy will move on to the Montana State Legislature. State statute directs that "Approval for the organization of a new community college district shall be granted at the discretion of the legislature . . ."(§ 20-15-209). It is assumed that action on the proposed BVCC District will follow normal legislature procedures during the next regular session of the state legislature (Spring 2009), whereby the proposed organization of the BVCC District is written up in bill format (including a fiscal note), a legislative sponsor(s) is secured, the bill advances through committee, and, ultimately, earns a final vote on the floors of the state's House of Representatives and Senate. During the legislative process, the BVCC-SC will be actively educating legislators about the BVCC effort and attempting to build a broad base of bipartisan support. Once legislative approval is obtained, state statute directs the Regents to "make an order declaring the community college district organized and cause a copy thereof to be recorded in the office of the county clerk and recorder [of the appropriate county]"(§ 20-15-209). Also by state statute, within 30 days of the organization order, the regents must convene the first meeting of the new community college district's Board of Trustees. How Can You Help?The state-level advocacy phase of the BVCC effort promises to be challenging. The BVCC-SC will need all the help it can get from local and nonlocal supporters. We urge anyone and everyone who wants to see the BVCC become a reality to get involved with this stage of the process. Your participation can and will make a difference. We urge all supporters to visit, call, write, and/or e-mail any or all the state-level players—from Regents to legislators, from Governor Schweitzer to members of Montana's Congressional delegation, from the Commissioner of Higher Education to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. To aid you in your advocacy role, names and contact information are provided below for the numerous individuals who will or can impact the success of the BVCC effort at the state level.
If you have any questions about BVCC state-level advocacy or would like to be more involved in the advocacy process, please contact the BVCC-SC at or call Victoria Clark at (406) 821-1682. Contacting Montana Board of Regent MembersOfficial website link: Montana Board of Regents Montana Board of Regents Members
Ex-Officio Members of the Montana Board of Regents
Contacting Members of Montana's Congressional Delegation
Contacting Members of the 60th Montana LegislatureOfficial website link: Montana State Legislature 2007-2008 Ravalli County Legislative Delegation
Legislative Leadership and Relevant Committee Leadership
Joint SubCommittee on Postsecondary Education Policy and Budget
Legislative Delegations from Montana's Existing Community College Districts Legislators Representing Dawson Community College District
Legislators Representing Flathead Valley Community College District
Legislators Representing Miles Community College District
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For more information call (406) 821-4631 or e-mail us at BVCC Trustees-elect © 2006 Jeannette Neaves. All rights reserved. |