1. 1. Within twelve months after August 28, 1995, and after the conditions of section 178.631 are satisfied, the board of regents of Linn State Technical College shall submit to the coordinating board for higher education, for the approval of the coordinating board, a five-year plan outlining the changes necessary for the institution to realize its new mission as a state technical college. The plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, such issues as admissions policies, new degrees programs to be developed, plans for attaining regional accreditation as a postsecondary institution, provisions for assessment of student learning and overall institutional performance, a fiscal plan for achieving institutional priorities, measurable goals and objectives for the institution, and specific provisions for coordinating with existing community colleges and area vocational technical schools. As this plan is developed it shall be assumed that tuition and fees for this institution shall be comparable to public four-year institutions rather than public two-year institutions. A copy of the five-year plan shall also be submitted to the state board of education for its review and comment, and the coordinating board shall give due consideration to the views of the state board in its approval process for the plan.
2. 2. Within twelve months after August 28, 1995, and prior to completing action on any five-year mission implementation plan submitted by Linn State Technical College, the coordinating board for higher education shall complete, in cooperation with the state board of education, a comprehensive assessment of postsecondary vocational technical education in the state of Missouri. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, the adequacy of Missouri's delivery system for postsecondary vocational technical education, including the role of area vocational schools and community colleges, in meeting the needs of the state and its citizens, businesses, and industries for vocational technical education opportunities of high quality in terms of the quality of its services, its arrangements for efficient and effective governance, and its method and level of financing. This study shall develop a master plan for advanced technical and vocational training in the state of Missouri coordinating area vocation school sites with area community colleges and Linn State Technical College to form advanced vocational and technical training facilities. The plan shall establish a mechanism for meeting the needs of citizens, business and industry in this state with the goal of obtaining a skilled, high-demand workforce. The plan shall contain a means of funding advanced technical and vocational training in line with a strong state policy for a highly skilled, in-demand workforce. The plan shall further set forth a mechanism for coordination of the delivery system between Linn State Technical College, area community colleges and area vocational schools within the service districts of the respective community colleges. Programs to be offered and funded by the state shall be contemplated by the plan. Funding of the programs offered may be tied to cooperation of area vocational schools and area community colleges; except that, no mandates may be included on any program which is funded in whole or in part by local funds, unless the cost of the program is paid by the state. The plan shall further indicate and anticipate the role of telecommunications in delivery of classes between Linn State Technical College, area community colleges and area vocational sites. The coordinating board shall make such recommendations regarding any improvements in the postsecondary vocational education delivery system as it deems appropriate and shall report its findings to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate, and the state board of education.
3. 3. After the conditions of this section and section 178.631 are satisfied, Linn State Technical College shall be deemed to be a qualified college, university, or educational institution for the purposes of any higher education student loan, grant, or scholarship program established pursuant to state law.

(L. 1995 S.B. 101 § 7)