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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: May 25, 2001 |
Community College System President responds to proposed budget cuts
RALEIGH: "We are thankful that the cuts are not as deep as we had feared," says North Carolina Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster. "This smaller cut comes at the expense of increased tuition for our students and a redirection of an anticipated and much needed salary increase for faculty and professional staff," Lancaster added.
The NCCCS had been asked by the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee to identify $40 million in cuts. The panel decided on a $5 million reduction in the continuation budget. The panel also called for a tuition increase for all community college for-credit students of $3.50 per semester hour, or about $56 per semester for full-time enrollment. For in-state students, that represents an increase of 12.7%, from $27.50 to $31.00 per semester hour.
The proposed cuts include no reduction in the basic formula used to fund instruction and provide full funding of the $10 million requested to cover the enrollment increase already experienced at community colleges.
The largest cut would affect the Human Resources Development program, which provides skills training for thousands of citizens across the state annually. A reduction of $2.9 million is proposed. This reduction means that the program will be reorganized, and classes will be offered in Continuing Education.
Lancaster is quick to add there is much work ahead for the System. Faculty and professional staff salary increases remain a priority for the NCCCS, as is an increase in funding for Student Services and Small Business Centers. There will be a continued push for these areas and more in the weeks to come. "There are cuts in categorical items that need to be addressed in the House," said Lancaster.
-NCCCS-
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