June 22 marked the first meeting of Metro's Task Force on the Implementation of the College Opportunity Fund, a cross-departmental committee established by Interim President Ray Kieft to plan for SB 189, the state's new "voucher bill."

Chaired by Natalie Lutes, interim vice president for administration and finance, the group is on a fast track to establish institutional policies and procedures for handling vouchers by Dec. 31, the state's deadline. The deadline is to ensure that all state institutions can accommodate vouchers for fall '05 registration, which begins spring of next year.

The College Opportunity Fund provides stipends for students who qualify for in-state tuition and can be used for up to 145 hours of credit, with some allowance for extenuating circumstances. To receive a stipend, students must apply. The money then is directed to a trust fund ultimately flowing to the student's college or university of choice once he or she registers.

Currently set at $2,400 (based on current state economic conditions) for students attending public institutions or $1,200 for low-income students attending one of three private colleges — DU, CC or Regis University-the stipends will vary year to year based on the state's budget. In fact, some uncertainty exists about whether Colorado can manage $2,400 vouchers or whether the number will drop to $1,600, unless the electorate eases state constitutional spending constraints or allows Colorado's national tobacco settlement to provide additional funds.

While the Colorado Commission on Higher Education is charged with administering the program, each school must adapt its own internal processes to manage the funding change.

"This bill touches every part of the institution," Lutes explains. "It will have a huge impact on us. But I feel very good about the fact that the president established this task force so we can stay ahead of it."

Members of the task force are: Ellen Boswell, assistant director of institutional research; David Conde, associate vice president for academic affairs; Yvonne Flood, interim assistant vice president for information technology, Bill Hathaway-Clark, director of admissions; Cindy Hejl, director of financial aid; Tom Gray, registrar; Liza Larsen, bank reconciliation accountant; Jacque Williams, director of marketing; and Cathy Lucas, interim assistant vice president for college communications.