Kernan announces plan to dissolve collegiate alliance

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Joe Kernan proposed a plan Tuesday to dissolve the troubled alliance that manages Indiana's community college system.\nKernan's plan would have Ivy Tech State College take over management of the Community College of Indiana next fall, with former partner Vincennes University adding its first four-year degree programs.\nIvy Tech would expand the community college system in 2005-06 from its current 10 sites to all 23 Ivy Tech campuses across the state, Kernan said.\nThe new agreement must be approved by the state Legislature, but Kernan said he anticipated that would happen during next year's session. Trustees at both schools must also approve the proposal, which could happen as early as next week, officials said.\nUnder the partnership that Gov. Frank O'Bannon established in 1999, Ivy Tech has offered two-year technical degrees and Vincennes had sponsored liberal arts studies.\nNow Ivy Tech faculty would teach both types of classes, and students can still transfer their credits to any of the state's four-year public colleges if they choose. Kernan said the 500 students enrolled in Vincennes programs would be able to finish their two-year degrees.