Board approves Rocky Vista University degree-granting authority and six system-wide transfer courses

The Academic Affairs committee reported that Rocky Vista University's application for degree-granting authority met statutory minimums and, under Kansas statute, the board approved the application.

Regent Mendoza described the committee's July–December review and noted concerns raised about clinical placements and statewide capacity to host clinical experiences. "Per Kansas State statute, if an institution meets the minimum requirements established in law, which Rocky Vista does, we must approve the application," the committee reported, and the board moved to approve the application accordingly.

Carla, representing the transfer council, described the multi-step review used to recommend system-wide transfer courses, including faculty outcomes work through CACOG and submissions by chief academic officers. The transfer council brought forward six courses — organic chemistry I (with lab), organic chemistry II (with lab), programming fundamentals, object-oriented programming, calculus II and differential equations — and the board approved those courses for the statewide transfer library.

Board discussion included questions about duplication of programs and the role of commerce clause considerations; staff and legal counsel confirmed that competition alone is not a statutory reason for denial and that quality concerns would need to be raised to block an application.

Both actions were taken as part of the board's consent/academic agenda.