Deadline set for new higher ed commissioner
While in office, Greg Fitch created a new funding formula.
Published Sept. 1, 2006
Former Truman State University President Charles McClain was appointed the interim commissioner of the Department of Higher Education on Aug. 1 after commissioner Greg Fitch left in June for Alabama's equivalent body.
The deadline for the appointment of a new commissioner is Dec. 31, McClain said.
McClain, who will help choose a new commissioner, said the committee in charge of finding his replacement is looking for the best-qualified candidate who "understands the culture of Missouri and its underpinnings."
Executive Assistant to the commissioner Brenda Miner said that while in office, Fitch came up with a new funding formula.
"He did a good job of bringing institutions together," Miner said.
Miner said the commission is looking for a "bridge builder, consensus builder" to fill the void.
Fitch, who served as commissioner for 18 months, said his job was to do three things: restructure the Missouri Department of Higher Education, reestablish the coordinating boards with the presidents of colleges and universities and reestablish the Department of Higher Education with the state legislature.
"I had accomplished what I intended to do," Fitch said.
He also said UM system President Elson Floyd was "instrumental" in helping reduce administrative costs.
"He was a leader in that area," Fitch said.
UM system spokesman Joe Moore said the system works very closely with the coordinating board on a variety of issues regarding how to best serve Missouri students.
The Department of Higher Education receives universities' requests for funding and makes recommendations to the governor's office, Moore said.
"They monitor or pay close attention to the kind of academic offerings to Missouri students and monitor new degree programs that are created as needed," he said.
McClain said the committee is hoping to find a new commissioner through a nationwide search.
In the meantime, in addition to continuing current activities, McClain said he plans to "begin work on a new funding formula for public four-year colleges and universities" and "try to restore funding for the Coordinating Board for Higher Education." He also plans to expand cooperation among Missouri universities.
Fitch said he plans to do similar work in Alabama as he did as commissioner in Missouri.
"It's a very exciting environment to be in," he said. "Alabama is in a very good position right now."
In Alabama, his goals are to restructure the office to provide better service to institutions, to work directly with "legislators and government" in advancing opportunities and to increase cooperation among different Alabama universities.