Bismarck State

[RD17]

There was an interesting article in Sunday's Bismarck Tribune about the possibility of BSC becoming a 4-year school in the near future. This is certainly interesting in light of the current strains on higher ed. funding in ND.

The only way I can see this being feasible is to shut down Mayville and Valley City (which I know is easier said than done) and then allow BSC to become a 4-year institution. Thoughts?

[ScottM]

There was an interesting article in Sunday's Bismarck Tribune about the possibility of BSC becoming a 4-year school in the near future. This is certainly interesting in light of the current strains on higher ed. funding in ND.

The only way I can see this being feasible is to shut down Mayville and Valley City (which I know is easier said than done) and then allow BSC to become a 4-year institution. Thoughts?

North Dakota has a surplus of 4-year schools. I do not think they need another one, unless there's a serious realignment of the current group, e.g., closing some down or reducing some to 2-year "feeder" community colleges for UND and 'SU. I recall Bismarck had the option in the late 1800s of getting a state prison or a land-grant college that would become 'SU ... let them lay in their own bed.

[U2Bad1]

From what I hear Bismarck State (only 2 year) has more students than most of the current 4-year colleges in the state.

[IowaBison]

Head Count FTE

BSC 3370 2576

LRSC 1471 705

WSC 947 691

UND 12954 11406

NDSU 12099 10674

NDSCS 2457 2054

DSU 2516 2007

MaSU 912 699

MiSU 3798 3031

VCSU 1035 876

MiSU-B 523 375

Fourth largest school by Head Count and FTE

[The Sicatoka]

This state really needs to take a hard, honest look at Bottineau, Mayville, Valley City, Williston, and Lake Region. With outreach and distance education capabilities already in place it's hard to justify keeping those.

And I wonder how Dickinson State would come through (enrollment-wise) BSC becoming BSU.

[U2Bad1]

If you make some sort of adjustment to Bismarck State taking in consideration that it is only a 2 year school.. it would easily put Bismarck State into the number 3 slot.

[IowaBison]

This state really needs to take a hard, honest look at Bottineau, Mayville, Valley City, Williston, and Lake Region. With outreach and distance education capabilities already in place it's hard to justify keeping those.

And I wonder how Dickinson State would come through (enrollment-wise) BSC becoming BSU.

Heck, I'd be just as worried about NDSU. I wouldn't be surprised to see a loss of 1000 students as we get a lot of kids from that way.

If BSC/U provided a well-rounded undergraduate curriculum and a few master's programs AND continue to provide vocational coursework they could reach 5,000 in my opinion, with 4,000 a near certainty.

[dakotadan]

If you make some sort of adjustment to Bismarck State taking in consideration that it is only a 2 year school.. it would easily put Bismarck State into the number 3 slot.

Hey, sign them up for the NCC. They are starting to look like our best option.

[RD17]

I agree with IowaBison... I think Bismarck State would pretty easily have 4,000+ students if it became a 4-year school. With the demographics in ND and the trends in online and distance learning I think it only makes sense to have universities in the four major cities, with a couple of 2-year schools and everything else shut down. But like I said before, changing the state constitution to get this done might be next to impossible.