Whereas, studies consistently show that the State must graduate substantially more college students in order to compete in the new international and technical economy; and

Whereas, the State currently has one of the lowest higher education enrollment rates in the country, ranking 47th in the percentage of citizens enrolled in higher education; and

Whereas, asynchronous and synchronous distance education over the Internet is a very effective way to deliver college courses to the State's people, especially those who work full-time and live in rural areas; and

Whereas, it is critical to make investments that will enable the State's citizens to access their college education over fast, reliable and cost-effective technology; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Long-term access to technical colleges. Resolved: That, to ensure that affordable access to quality higher education is sustained, the Maine Technical College System shall attempt to enroll 1,000 newly matriculated students in each of the next succeeding biennia after the effective date of this resolve until such time as the technical colleges cumulatively matriculate 10,000 students, and the Legislature intends to continue to appropriate and allocate the necessary funds to the Maine Technical College System; and be it further

Sec. 2. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.

2000-01

MAINE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

Maine Technical College System -

Board of Trustees

All Other $500,000

Provides $500,000 to increase immediate access to college by enabling the technical colleges to enroll 250 new students.

Maine Technical College System -

Board of Trustees