Bismarck State College's request for $3.8 million from the Legislature to buy the Horizon Building represents more than brick and mortar for the institution and the community.

It's the physical focal point for offering four-year and graduate degrees to local residents without the energy, effort and cost of reconfiguring BSC as a four-year-degree granting college or university.

Being able to obtain a four-year degree in Bismarck from various colleges and universities in the state is a boon to this community.

Dickinson State University, Minot State University and the University of North Dakota are offering undergraduate and advanced degrees from the BSC campus. It's part of a collaborative effort to enhance the two-year technical college.

It means access for expanded degree programs for local residents without creating expensive duplication in the state's University System.

BSC and allies have created a Higher Education Center on the Bismarck-Mandan campus. It's one of the suggestions in 2000 Roundtable report on higher ed.

DSU, MSU and UND have offices at BSC in a converted residence hall, and classroom overflow has pushed into the Horizon Building which adjoins the campus.

BSC leases the building for $194,100 a year. BSC's use of the facility amounts to $83,100, forcing the school to pick up a $111,000 tab for space for the four-year programs that it offers the community.

Buying the building would make collaborating with still other North Dakota colleges and universities easier.

The result also would make for more convenient access to four-year degree programs for the community. It would create one-stop for these educational needs. It would make these programs a part of the BSC campus, a part of the institution.

BSC wants to spend an additional $700,000 remodeling the building for classrooms and the addition of much-in-demand IVN (Interactive Video Network) classrooms.

The number of students in these collaborative programs have increased 60 percent in the last seven years. This percentage is likely to continue to grow as people of all ages make use of the higher education system for retraining and advanced training, both demands of the local job market.

Neither the governor or the state Senate approved the purchase of the Horizon Building. The Tribune disagrees with that decision.

BSC officials indicate that by purchasing the building they may be able to hold or reduce tuition for these students.

All and all, buying the Horizon Building and continuing to enhance collaborative programs at BSC makes good sense for Bismarck-Mandan and the state.