Metro State truly is rising as three major College initiatives are on their way to becoming reality.

The first initiative, to gain the legislative authority for Metro State to offer master’s degrees, represents a sea change for an institution that started only 44 years ago with just 1,189 students and offering only the first two years of a four-year degree.

Tomorrow, May 5, at 10:15 a.m. in the west foyer (1st floor) of the Capitol, Governor Bill Ritter will sign HB 1295: A Bill for an Act Concerning Authorizing Metropolitan State College of Denver to Offer Master’s Degree Programs.

“This is an historic moment for Metro State of significance equal to the College’s move to the Auraria Campus,” says President Stephen Jordan. “It’s a bold and fitting step for us, as Colorado’s leader in educating in-state undergraduates, to offer our students the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees that are high-quality, affordable and convenient. It will enhance the value of a Metro State degree for our alumni and all of those who will follow.”

Jordan added that the initiative’s success is due to the collective effort of the Metro State community. “I would like to particularly acknowledge the hard work of the Accounting, Teacher Education and Social Work departments and the support of our Board of Trustees,” he says.

Buildings gain approval
Meanwhile, the Student Success Building and the Hotel Learning Center passed a final legislative hurdle on Friday when the Joint Budget Committee gave its approval for Metro State to pursue construction of the two buildings on public property.

The Student Success Building will be the first building in the Metro State Neighborhood between7^th and 9^th streets along Auraria Pkwy. A recent student vote approving a fee to fund its construction meant the College needed only to gain the Capital Development Committee’s and JBC’s okay to proceed. (To read more go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/studentfee_twv6042209.shtml.)

The Hotel Learning Center, planned for the corner of Speer Blvd. and Auraria Pkwy., is a public/private partnership to construct a 200-room operating hotel and a 21,000-square-foot learning facility for the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Events.

“Both of these buildings will be visible evidence of Metro State’s rise to preeminence,” Jordan says. “The Student Success Building will house our First Year Success Program, which I consider an essential element to increasing student retention, and the Hotel Learning Center will bring even greater recognition to our HTE program, which has established itself as a premier academic program in the state.”