(a) The Legislature finds that while certain areas of the state currently lack a sufficient population or employer base to support an independent community and technical college, it is vital to the citizens and businesses of these areas to have access to comprehensive, high-quality community and technical education programs and services that are well articulated with the public schools, baccalaureate institutions and other community and technical colleges; that make the most efficient and effective use of facilities, faculty, staff, equipment and other available resources; that encourage students of all ages, ability levels and economic circumstances to pursue a lifetime of learning; that serve as engines of economic development; and that have the ability to adapt quickly to changing needs for workforce training.
(b) The Legislature further finds that a critical need exists to enhance the role of technical education in every area of the state; to encourage and strengthen collaborative and cooperative relationships between and among institutions in order to provide the highest quality programs and services most effectively; and to make the most efficient use of scarce resources while avoiding, to the extent practicable, duplication of administrative and programmatic costs. Establishment of multicampus institutions provides an excellent opportunity to implement more effective and efficient systems of program delivery and to explore alternative organizational and management structures best suited to serving the needs of students, employers and the citizens of a geographic region. Reorganization offers an efficient and effective method to provide high-quality, comprehensive community and technical education in an area where two institutions serve the same community and technical college district or population center. Creating a consolidated multicampus institution will enhance the delivery of comprehensive community and technical college education to that entire geographical region.