Contact:  Public Affairs or Kennon Briggs

RALEIGH -- The president of the North Carolina Community College System today (June 30) praised members of the General Assembly for championing new funds for the North Carolina Community College System.
        President H. Martin Lancaster said, "The budget approved today by the General Assembly marks the most dramatic statement of community college support in years, perhaps decades.   It includes major new investments in teaching, high-tech equipment and scholarships."
         "Though the funds for dramatic salary increases did not materialize, more than $7 million additional funds will permit a two percent additional salary increase over other state employees for faculty.
         "Also, for many years funds have been transferred from the allocation for faculty salaries to cover other critical costs such as computer programs and maintenance, expendable supplies for teaching, library and counseling positions and other student support areas.  With the appropriation of $18 million for these shortages, more money will be available for salary increases and more faculty positions.
         "If  House Bill 275 passes as anticipated, the redirected unemployment insurance contributions will be used for much-needed equipment purchases and upgrades, more training for new and expanding industry and regional and cooperative programs.
         "Thanks to this bold leadership, more North Carolinians will have the chance to come to community colleges for the high-tech training and education they need to compete for good jobs in the future.  The $5 million for a new financial aid initiative will make a community college education free for most students when combined with the benefits of federal Pell Grants and the Hope Scholarship Tax Credits, an initiative dear to the heart of our State Board Chairman, Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker."
         Lancaster pointed to exceptional cooperation among community college supporters as a key to this year's success in the General Assembly.
         "Our State Board members, the Trustees' Association, the Presidents' Association, the new Faculty Association, the business and community leaders on our revived Foundation Board, the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry, and statewide staff all worked together to make the point that community colleges are the key to North Carolina's economic future."
        Key areas of new investment for the coming fiscal year are:

• $18.8 million for student enrollment growth.
• $10 million for the "other costs" line item.
• $8 million for instructional support.
• $8 million for a new management information system.
• $7.1 million for additional faculty raises.
• $5 million for a new needs-based financial aid package.