College of Southern Idaho Human Resources Department Website

1.04.01  HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE (Rev: 2/2002, 1/2003; 1/2006; 7/2006)
The College of Southern Idaho represents a shared vision and a collaborative effort of the citizens of the Magic Valley. This vision began to take form as early as 1952 when a Stanford doctoral student wrote his dissertation, "A Junior College Survey of Twin Falls County, Idaho." Several years later (1960) the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce established a junior college committee to actively pursue financial support to make this vision a reality.

At the same time, classes were begun in Buhl under a private institution called Southern Idaho College. An inadequate tax base caused the Board of Education to discontinue the effort, although many of the individuals involved later helped develop CSI.

Two years later the Federal Government facilitated the College of Southern Idaho's development by providing federal aid for building academic facilities. In 1963 the Idaho legislature passed the Junior College Act, which provided for the establishment of junior college districts. Twin Falls County voted to form a junior college district in November 1964. The following year Jerome County citizens voted to join the junior college district.

The first academic classes were held in the evening at Twin Falls High School, while vocational classes were held at a facility located at 1300 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. The administrative offices were housed in a building located at Addison and Martin Streets. The College was governed by a Board of Trustees that hired Dr. James L. Taylor as the first President of the College of Southern Idaho. He served as President until his death in November of 1982. Gerald R. Meyerhoeffer, former Vice President, became President in 1983. In 2005 Meyerhoeffer retired and Jerry Beck, former Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, became the third president.

The College of Southern Idaho is one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in the state, more than doubling its enrollment in the 1990's alone. Off campus centers at Micron in Boise and in Burley, Gooding, Jerome, and Hailey serve thousands of students each semester, allowing them to take college classes without long commutes. The advent of the telecommunications system in 1989 greatly enhanced the delivery of college-level courses to these areas, linking all the off campus centers and other Southern Idaho educational sources in a fully interactive learning network.

The College of Southern Idaho offers a variety of educational opportunities to the people of South Central Idaho. Eighty-five percent of the student body comes from the eight Magic Valley counties the College is charged with serving.

1.04.02  MISSION STATEMENT (Rev: 1/2000)
The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides educational, social and cultural opportunities for a diverse population of South Central Idaho. In this rapidly changing world, CSI encourages our students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives.

1.04.03  PHILOSOPHY
The College recognizes all individuals as having value in a democratic society. The primary purpose of the College is to assist students with varying levels of ability and diverse backgrounds in developing skills, values, and attitudes necessary for effective living.

1.04.04  PURPOSES
The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, has as its purpose, according to state statute and community need, the following:

To provide a program of general education through instruction which embodies knowledge, skills, and values needed by each individual in a democratic society.

To provide university-parallel curriculum which offers the first two years of a baccalaureate education in preparation for entrance into the junior year of any college or university.

To provide a program of professional technical education which prepares students for immediate gainful employment upon successful completion.

To provide a continuing program of adult education for life-long learning opportunities.

To provide a program of guidance and coordinate with College and community resources to assist individuals in developing and meeting their educational and career goals through financial, personal, and educational support.

To provide community services by making physical facilities and the unique abilities of the staff available.

1.04.05  ACCREDITATION (Added: 2/2000; Rev: 1/05)
The College of Southern Idaho received its first accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges in 1968.  Since that time, the College has been continuously accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Students enrolled in the College are assured that their academic credits meet the standards of accreditation.  The academic core block of general education courses, if completed, is guaranteed by the State of Idaho to transfer to any other Idaho institutions of higher education.  The transferability of other courses is subject to the receiving institution. Students planning to transfer to another institution should plan their course work according to the requirements of that institution. Students should also communicate with the receiving institution regarding the transferability of the course work they are planning to take. CSI faculty and counselors will advise students. However, it is the students' responsibility to know the curriculum requirements of the institution to which they wish to transfer.

1.04.06  IDAHO CODE  (Added: 2/2000)
The College of Southern Idaho is maintained and operated pursuant to the Idaho Code 33-2101 and in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations.

Idaho Code 33-2101 establishes the district, curricular, organizational, and revenue parameters within which junior (community) colleges in Idaho must function.  The College of Southern Idaho is the designated institution for District Four and is therefore authorized under the Code.

Persons seeking a complete legal description are directed to see Idaho Statutes: Title 33 Education, Chapter 21 Junior Colleges.

1.04.07 BOARD OF TRUSTEES (Added 1/05)
The Board of Trustees for the College is elected by the members of the Community College District. Under normal operating procedures, each member of the Board is elected to a six-year term. Election is by a simple majority of the votes cast. Terms are staggered so that not more than two trustee positions expire within one election year. Elections are biennial in even-numbered years during the regular November elections. Vacancies on the Board are filled by appointment: if a majority of elected trustees resides, they are empowered to appoint new members for the length of the term(s) vacated; if a majority of elected trustees does not reside, then the State Board of Education is empowered to appoint new members for the length of the terms vacated.

The Board of Trustees is given the necessary powers to develop, maintain, and operate a viable community college. Within its purview are the powers to adopt rules and regulations for the governing of the College, employ personnel, manage real and personal property, act as agent, seek and develop financial resources, accept grants and gifts, invest funds, and subscribe to all rights vested by law or regulation for the benefit of the College.

The Board of Trustees has established the third Monday of each month as their regular meeting date. In the event that the third Monday is a holiday or conflicting with other events, the regularly scheduled meeting will be held the following Monday. These meetings are open to the public.

Persons who want a full description of the Board of Trustees and its powers are directed to the Idaho Code, Chapter 21, Sections 33-2106, 33-2107, and 33-2107B.