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Your Community College

Posted: Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 - 09:36:43 pm PST
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Dr. Priscilla Bell

PTE -- a viable educational choice at North Idaho College

Much attention and energy in North Idaho, and at North Idaho College, has been spent on the topic of Professional-Technical Education. PTE was once commonly known as vocational education, amongst other titles.

Some equate PTE with one of its key branches, Trades and Industry, which incorporates areas such as welding, automotive technology and carpentry.

PTE is much more -- but today, let's focus on the other side of NIC's programming.

We call it "academic transfer." I dislike that title for the inaccurate message it sends. It hints there is no "academic" element to PTE; our students will attest there is academic rigor in all of our programs.

And "transfer" indicates those who complete these programs immediately go on to four-year degree programs at other colleges. This is not always the case.

Transfer programs (they might also be called general studies) enroll the lion's share of NIC students. This fall, 78 percent were transfer students -- 3,637 of our 4,650 students.

Some point to that imbalance as a weakness at NIC. I agree that NIC must do better in professional-technical education, not in terms of quality but in terms of participation. Yet it is equally important that we enroll more in transfer programs and strengthen them, too.

Our students tell us what they wish to study when they enroll. If 78 percent choose transfer programs, we strive to meet their demands. NIC does not steer students into, or away from, transfer or PTE programs; students steer themselves.

NIC offers almost an equal number of transfer and PTE programs. There are differences in the way programs are added and funded.

State approval is required to add PTE programs, while our locally elected Board of Trustees can add transfer programs any time it wishes.

By the way, NIC has added -- and dropped -- numerous PTE programs recently, with more changes to come. It has been years since a transfer program was added.

We get some $4.4 million in state funding specifically for PTE -- dollars that cannot be used for anything else. We get another $11.1 million in state general funds that are used for everything else, including transfer programs, and services available to every student.

Three years ago, the Idaho legislature ended its practice of NIC and the College of Southern Idaho splitting community college general funds in half. Today, general funds are allocated on the basis of academic transfer enrollment ONLY. Because of its larger transfer enrollment, CSI now receives in the vicinity of $2 million more per year in general fund dollars.

Thus it is imperative for the wellbeing of NIC as a whole that we increase enrollment in transfer programs.

Make no mistake; we are working harder than ever to grow our professional-technical programs. But it isn't an either/or -- we must attract more students into all of our programs.

I am confident we will.

In the meantime, understand that many students in our "transfer programs" will enter the workforce as soon as they finish at NIC. A prime example would be our Registered Nursing (RN) students, all of whom have great jobs waiting the moment they finish our program.

But there are others, from criminal justice to graphic design, from child development to physical education. And virtually every student who does transfer, will soon be a part of the workforce. The concept that the only NIC students who will work are those in PTE is patently wrong.

We pride ourselves in NIC's status as a comprehensive community college, with strong programs in the academic transfer, professional-technical and workforce training areas.

The NIC faculty are excellent, well prepared both academically and professionally to teach. And that is our mission -- teaching.

It is what sets us apart from universities which have research as a prime component of their mission. NIC faculty focus on student learning and helping students achieve their dreams for better lives, regardless of their program of study.


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WINOS 4EVER wrote on Feb 13, 2008 5:52 PM:

" What I can't figure out, why is there such a huge push to build the University Place CDA? Who are the special developers who will make millions on this project? Why is the LCDC pushing so hard for this project? By the way, where can one find a complete detailed description of the proposed project? There are just so many unanswered questions.

I know one thing for sure, certain NIC board members who have inside information plan on personally benefiting with huge profits from land deals. Any names come to mind?

MIKEK is a wealth of insider information when he gets tipsy, oh, that's just our little secret. MIKEK is my bestest tipsy buddy. The next morning is the pits.
"

boxers wrote on Feb 11, 2008 6:48 AM:

" bell is a plant! why do you think every other canditate for that position suddenly dropped out,pressure it's a valuable tool along with deciet "

Slap in the face wrote on Feb 10, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Dr. Bell, please tell us about the letters you wrote to the CDA and Post Falls Chamber Director's. Does a $1,000,000.00 ring a bell? Does the NIC Board support this method of request's and communication's? May be the CDA Press should look in to it. "

sweet tea wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:39 PM:

" Don't worry about conflicts of interest. All NIC trustees must make written conflict of interest disclosures which are then available to the public. Idaho laws requires the written disclosures. So just ask Mrs. Meyer for her written conflict of interest disclosures.


Please Mrs. Judith Meyer, tell us how many written conflict of interest disclosures have you executed as a NIC board member? Where can I get copies of the disclosures?

"

LET'S TOAST TO mikek wrote on Feb 8, 2008 1:26 PM:

" Dear Mrs. Judy Meyer:

Please answer my question, did your or your husband purchase any real estate options adjacent to or near the NIC optioned property located on the Rathdrum prairie? If your answer is yes, please provide the day your purchase the real estate option?

Inquisitive minds are interested in your insider information purchases of real estate and real estate options.

Thank-you so much for being so transparent about your real estate transactions.

Hat tip to Mike Kennedy for providing the info, what a little wine will do is amazing. "

gw wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:39 PM:

" maybe NIC needs to import more people into their sports program from out of Idaho, if this is a community college then support the locals and no out of district scholarships for anything as there are plenty of young people here that could use the help. "

DEN OF DEMOCRATS wrote on Feb 2, 2008 4:55 PM:

" The facts are Judith Meyer is married to Steve Meyer. Steve Meyer is a business partner of Charlie Nipp, Parkwood Business Properties is the business name. Mike Kennedy is an employee of Steve Meyer, Intermax is the company name.

Judith Meyer is a board member of the following:

1. North Idaho College (taxing district)
2. Kootenai Shoshone Allied Library (KSAL) (taxing district)


Steve Meyer is a board member of the following:

1. Hayden Urban Renewal Agency (taxing district)


Charlie Nipp is the chairman of the following:

1. Lake City Development Corporation (taxing district)


Mike Kennedy is a board member of the following:

1. Coeur d'Alene City Council (taxing district)

This sure make a den of democrats mighty cozy. "

A local citizen wrote on Feb 2, 2008 9:40 AM:

" "I need options", and the obvious writer of most of the other recent postings, needs to better educate himself. Meyer is a common name. He has several families confused (i.e. Meyer family farm). To be a member of a Board takes a great deal of intellect, business acumen, education, insight, common sense, dedication, and most of all integrity. The writer (s) of recent postings has pointed a critical finger at several outstanding members of community boards who meet all of the above qualities needed for effective board membership. To accept "I need options" line of reasoning we would have to exclude from our local elections anyone with any business interests. Those individuals - Mr. Nipp, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, and Mike Kennedy - are outstanding and dedicated local citizens who spend untoll hours studying and solving very complicated issues. Get the bee out of your bonnet. "

TUG OF WAR wrote on Jan 24, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Mrs. Judy Meyer is also an elected board member of the Kootenai Shoshone Allied Library taxing district (KSAL). She is a board member who controls millions of dollars while serving on two elected boards, NIC and KSAL. How exactly do URDs financially effect those two taxing districts? That's right, URDs remove tax base from both NIC and KSAL. So, Mr. Meyer and Mr. Nipp are board members of URDs which take away tax base, seems like a conflict of interest to me. This is simply a tug of war between NIC, KSAL, LCDC and the Hayden URD for tax base. Who will win that war? Just ask the Meyers or Mr. Nipp. "

BYE BYE JUDITH wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:15 PM:

" Judy Meyer is a hard core DEMOCRAT and a member of the NIC Board of Trustees. She is up for reelection in 2008. Her husband is Steven Meyer and his business partner is Charlie Nipp. Charlie is the Chairman of the Lake City Development Corporation and Steve is a trustee of the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency. Why do just a few individuals have way too much control? Time to vote Mrs. Judith Meyer out of her position in 2008, bye, bye Judith. "

Questions for Dr. Bell wrote on Jan 19, 2008 4:25 PM:

" Dr. Bell:

Please ask your board of trustees the following questions:

1. Disclose all potential conflicts of interest?

2. Disclose any and all real estate deals owned by any board member next to or near the Educational Corridor/University Place and or the optioned Rathdrum Prairie property?

3. Any and all conflicts of interest which exist between NIC and other taxing districts due to NIC board members who are also board members of other taxing districts?

4. Ask NIC's legal counsel to review any and all conflicts of interest vis a vis the above three issues?

Please respond to these questions which will be made public in the near future. "

TEN YEARS TO FIND AN ATTORNEY wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:56 PM:

" Will Judy Meyer run for reelection in 2008 with Mike Kennedy at her side? Mike Kennedy is the top democrat in the Coeur d'Alene area, who works for Judy's hubby, Steven Meyer. That will be an interesting race. Will the voters like the fact that Judy is a busy lady? I think Judy will have a tough time winning her next election with so may interest facts out there. Hey Judy tell us some good stories about the free use of public land and the way to contract the deal? Why does it take so damn long to find an attorney to write the contract? "

woodstock NEWYORKER wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:52 PM:

" North Idaho College is a taxing district. The Kootenai Shoshone Allied Library (KSAL) is a taxing district. Is there a connection between the two? Let's not get meyed in those questions. MikeK tell us about your side business involving out of state polling? "

bookworm wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Who gets free use of Public Land as a mall parking lot? That seems like an abuse of tax money. I hope that person is not an elected official of a taxing district, could be a bit of a scandal. "

PERSI WATCHER wrote on Jan 17, 2008 11:58 AM:

" Do you know which NIC trustee borrowed millions from PERSI to finance real estate deals? I would love to know, anyone? Also, is that a conflict of interest? "

MONEYMANIA wrote on Jan 15, 2008 12:59 PM:

" The LCDC has banked $1,000,000 plus for investment into the University Place - CDA. The LCDC is now responsible to fund education in Idaho. In reality, it's a taxing district out of control. As it stands today, there is nothing the LCDC CAN'T fund. The LCDC is now in control of vast amounts of tax money and answers to no one. So why is NIC in partnership with the LCDC? What can one buy with a pot of public tax money? ANYTHING, EVERYTHING AND ANYONE. "

((((THAT RINGS A BELL)))) wrote on Jan 14, 2008 12:45 PM:

" Who owns real estate options and or real estate properties near or next to the University Place- CDA? That's an interesting investigation which could be very damning to certain individuals. Does anyone have any information to share about these real estate transactions? Dr. Bell what have you to say? The University Place-CDA is a huge money maker for just a few special people. Can you think of a few? "

rebel wrote on Jan 11, 2008 4:00 PM:

" Burke knew all about the real estate options, now he is gone with the wind. Just think what's blowing in the wind? Just a phone call away. "

to Your Community College wrote on Jan 10, 2008 10:55 PM:

" just wasted more taxpayer money promoting classes to regional households at a tuen of $50K. I threw my class schedule in the trash. Who can afford to go. Most of the classes offered don't lead to that well paying job. Few classes offered that would prompt an employer to hire you at a decent wage. God through a 2 year program and get no where as that field becomes saturated or shipped offshore. NIC is becoming a school for rich kids who can't tie their shoes while locals are sent packing. "

NIC MONEYMAKER wrote on Jan 10, 2008 4:39 PM:

" Do you want to make lots and lots of money in real estate even in a down market? Buy real estate options next to all future NIC property purchases. That's right get the inside information from NIC board members and you will be the first to buy those real estate options. Oh wait, you will be second in line since only a certain few rich developers get the first chance to buy those rare real estate options, before anyone else. Hey, that's not fair, why should only a few rich folks be first! Because that is how it works. Just ask Dr. Bell about real estate options, she'll tell you what she knows. Then go to each NIC board member and ask them. Which board member(s) has vast real estate experience? "

I NEED OPTIONS wrote on Jan 9, 2008 10:02 AM:

" I'd like to know how many NIC board of trustee members have purchased real estate options adjacent to or near the Rathdrum Prairie acreage that NIC purchased an option on from the Meyer farming family? Board members have inside information of that option purchase, could mean millions in profits. "

NIBBLE ON THIS wrote on Jan 8, 2008 3:40 PM:

" There is a connection between Judy Meyer, Steve Meyer and Charlie Nipp. Mr. Meyer and Mr. Nipp are business partners with Parkwood Business Properties and both are board members of Urban Renewal Districts. Mr. Nipp is on the CDA board and Mr. Meyer on the Hayden board. Now the connection, both Urban Renewal Districts take tax base away from North Idaho College which Mrs. Meyer is an elected member of the NIC board of trustees. Hence, the URDs and NIC are in conflict due to the tax base shift. So when the Meyers and the Nipps go out to dinner to discuss business, who wins with the battle of tax base grab? Do tax dollars go to NIC or to Urban Renewal Districts? Seems to me, Mrs. Meyer should recuse herself from the NIC board permanently. So exactly why was Mr. Nipp asked to be removed from the LCDC chairmanship recently by the CDA Press Editorial Board? Did it have something to do with CONFLICT OF INTEREST? "

little folks wrote on Dec 14, 2007 10:39 AM:

" Mrs. Meyer please do tell us all why you are friends with armbuster? "

OLD CDA Democrat wrote on Dec 13, 2007 4:58 PM:

" The LCDC's attorney Armbuster was part of the Federal investigation. Why isn't the CDA City Council concerned about this fact? University Place was and is a fiasco and is here in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Civic Partners were also involved with the Federal investigation and the CCDC, sister URD of the LCDC. What in the Hell is going on with the University Place CDA? Millions will evaporate to certain rich developers. "

silence wrote on Dec 13, 2007 5:26 AM:

" Did you hear the latest news regarding the University Place FBI investigation? Just ask the NIC trustees all about it. They won't discuss it for some strange reason, mmmmm. "

Robert Bennington: AKA Rainman wrote on Dec 10, 2007 5:39 PM:

" Follow the real estate options purchased by insiders, that's where all the action is located. But just who are the insiders? Persons who know about future deals that are not publicly disclosed. That's a very short list of names. It's easier to track or should I say investigate a short list of names. My, my, my who is that knocking at my door with a subpoena? Time for a long vacation in Central America, maybe Costa Rica? "

TYPICAL VANDAL wrote on Dec 10, 2007 11:22 AM:

" I can't believe the University Place is being investigated by the FBI, what gives? That's tax money being used for the University of Idaho. "

Former NICer wrote on Dec 9, 2007 11:45 AM:

" NIC could attract more students if it had the facilities and programs that the colleges it competes with has...such as a student recreation center. "

henry blankenship wrote on Dec 7, 2007 11:05 AM:

" The FBI and United States Attorney is investigating University Place, what the hell for? There can't be a good reason for the investigation, unless of course individuals are getting money under the table for very private deals. Those folks would be high profile people right here in the Lake City. Man, if I were involved I'd be looking over my shoulder for someone tapping on it. This is serious stuff with huge amounts of money. I sure hope Dr. Bell explains why the University Place is under investigation. This must have something to do with why Dr. Burke left. "

william moshner wrote on Dec 5, 2007 3:04 PM:

" The LCDC will not fund University Place. It doesn't have $10,000,000 to spare, just $1,000,000. So, some bank needs to step to the plate but with the FBI and AUSA involved, mmmm. Seems to me a huge risk for a band to take and there are those pesky shareholders to protect. "

betty lou brock wrote on Dec 3, 2007 5:00 PM:

" I can't wait any longer for the University Place to be built, I want to know who will be investigated now. Follow the deeds, deeds of trust and real estate options and surprise, surprise look who the cat dragged in. We need a map of University Place to see who owns what. Why don't we have a sinking map anyway? You mean it's a secret and only a few special individuals know the exact location. This whole project is perfect for the LCDC to tackle because that's where you get free money plus interest if you are special. "

Jen Hopkins wrote on Dec 3, 2007 5:43 AM:

" Dr. Bell explain the Idaho State Board of Education's position on University Place-CDA, does the board support the project or not? It is critical to know the answer to that question. Also, why has the Idaho Legislature denied funding for University Place's purchase of the $10 million mill? To me, the Idaho Legislature isn't interest in continuing the fiasco surrounding the University Place-Boise by funding UP-CDA. By the way, what's all this investigative stuff concerning the FBI and US Attorney General? "

jared white wrote on Dec 2, 2007 9:17 PM:

" This University Place is a bunch of Bullsh*t. No plan, no money, no leadership and the fbi investigation will kill the project. Just who bought all of those options anyway? Seems like a mammoth killing on real estate deals to me. I want to get in on some of that action but I need to know the plan. Damn but what if the AUSA gets involved here in North Idaho? This thing is a sinking ship. "

Slap in the face wrote on Dec 2, 2007 3:27 PM:

" Oh Dr. Bell, do you know which trustee you can trust and which one you can not? "

old native wrote on Dec 1, 2007 1:54 PM:

" If NIC continues to support this University Place idea, well then I will not send any more donations to the NIC Foundation. You lost my dollars NIC, I don't wantmy money to go down a rat hole. "

john peterson wrote on Nov 30, 2007 5:32 PM:

" Do post any information you have about the University Place which might help this investigation. Names, dates, and deeds are required to identify the players. Local conflict of interests abound and need to be reported. First go to Dr. Bell with the information and avoid the board of trustees. You can trust Dr. Bell. She will do the right thing to protect the college. October 13, 2006 University Place case moved to Oregon Idaho's U.S. attorney has agreed to hand over the federal investigation into University Place to the U.S. attorney's office in Oregon to avoid a possible conflict of interest in the Idaho office. U.S. Attorney Tom Moss said Wednesday that one of his office's attorneys has had a relationship with a person who could be a witness in the case of the failed University of Idaho satellite campus in Boise. The attorney was not working on the University Place investigation, said Jean McNeil, a spokeswoman for the Idaho U.S. attorney's office. Moss declined to give further specifics. In a brief statement, the U.S. attorney's office in Portland said all inquiries about the investigation should be directed to Assistant U.S. Attorney Allan Gartan. Gartan was not available for comment Wednesday. University Place fell apart over financial mismanagement and cost then-U of I President Bob Hoover his job in 2003. Moss, who prosecutes federal crimes in Idaho began his review in December after the release of a 600-page report on University Place compiled by attorney Larry Prince, an Idaho special deputy attorney general. Prince did the report at the request of the State Board of Education. Moss' office began in December looking into the conduct of the U of I Foundation and the U of I in the University Place project, which resulted in the foundation losing approximately $28 million. Moss brought the possible conflict to the attention of federal officials. The potential conflict of interest has been under discussion between the U.S. Department of Justice and Moss' office for "a matter of weeks," McNeil said. Both Moss and the Department of Justice agreed to move the investigation, Moss said. The federal investigation isn't the only one into University Place. Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is investigating possible violations of state law outlined. The report said University of Idaho officials may have violated the law by misusing public money. Wasden's office declined Wednesday to comment on its investigation. The Idaho State Bar also is investigating whether attorneys who represented parties involved with the project had conflicts that violated the Professional Code of Ethics. "

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