BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College’s interim president called the state budget provisions, which include a 6% increase to community college operating funds, dual enrollment and the creation of State Board of Higher Education, “a good place to land.”

Wednesday, Sept.18, was the first time BC3’s board of trustees met in person since the budget’s approval in July.

Interim president Megan Coval said she believed the creation of the state board would be an opportunity to “continue to think about how to make higher ed more sustainable, and to be able to, you know, continue in a way that is collaborative and encouraging coordination.”

Shapiro announced appointments to the State Board of Higher Education last week. They include university officials and presidents, business leaders, legislators and a student.

Coval noted that the college is working with the commission through Ann Bieber, president of Lehigh Carbon Community College, who has a seat on the state board.

The state board will make recommendations to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to the governor about the future of higher education in Pennsylvania, Coval said.

Shapiro’s initial proposal included the unification of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and community colleges under a new governance system, but that was not included in the approved state budget.

“There's a lot of need to still be very engaged at the (state) level,” Coval said. “But I think all in all, it was a very good outcome in the bill.”