General fund support amounts to only a few thousand dollars. Staff concludes that the institution has the capacity to offer proposed program efficiently. No other Ph.D. program in Cognitive Science exists in Colorado or the Rocky Mountain region. Only one similar program exists west of the Mississippi River at the University of California at San Diego. Similar programs do exist in institutions east of the Mississippi, several being private institutions which are not seen as being duplicative of the student population that is expected to enroll in the proposed program.
Staff concludes there is no unnecessary duplication or proliferation of programs.
No economic impact is claimed by the proposed program. Economic impact may occur in the hiring of graduates by Colorado business and industry. That the Commission approve the request to offer a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Duties and powers of the commission with respect to program approval, review, reduction, and discontinuance. The commission shall review and approve, consistent with the role and mission and statewide educational needs, the proposal for any new program before its establishment in an institution.